I use the tire changer from Harbour Freight. I think it was $38 dollars or something. I mainly bought it for the bead-breaker; I then use a tirespoon and a screwdriver to dismount/and re-mount the tires. NOTE: it's best NOT to use a screwdriver if you've got inner tubes due to the fact that the screwdriver could puncture the tube. I'm only using a screwdriver now, because i can't afford to get another tire spoon.
The possible problem is re-seating the beads. Now, if you're using tubes there is no problem. But if you're not, what i'm doing now is they sell sort of a bead seater "donut." Basically, it's a rubber tube that fits around the rim and doesn't allow air to escape and thus the tire re-seats itself and the donut pops out.
The other alternative is to get a compressed air bead seater. (i.e., Cheetah) But i didn't want to go that way because i don't like the idea of that much air shooting out. Plus it was way more expensive than the donuts. The advantage with the compressed air is it will work on any size tire/wheel combination. With donuts, you've got to buy a different sized donut for each size wheel size.
www.ribetproducts.com/pro...=85&page=1In some cases, depending on the brand and size of tire, you do not need any of the above---the tire fits the rim well enough not to need any bead seating assistance.
But i think the real problem is balancing; How are you going to do that? You still have to bring it to the shop to be balanced. I recommend Hunter Road Force balancing myself. If not, find a good gas station that knows how to use their equipment. It will probably run $8 or so per tire.
I'm looking into finding a good used unit so i can balance my own tires.
Edited by: Stewart G Griffin at: 8/8/06 2:17 pm
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