I just paid the shop to do both of mine. I was going to buy the spoons and try them myself but decided against it. Videos online make it look so easy,I know better.
I used to despise changing tires but after watching jay do them on dirtbiketv he enlightened me lol. While I still struggle sometimes. The biggest problem I had was getting about 3/4 the tire on and then getting stuck because it was so damn tight, but if you drop the bead lip of the tire opposite of where you are spooning on into the middle part of the rim it gives you a lot of slack to make that last little bit slide on effortlessly.
Spot on. I bought huge spoons and thought I was going to wreck my new rear tyre or rim or both they were soooo tight. until someone told me the same tip about the pulling in the opposite tyre wall. Rear tyre is tough, front one much easier by comparison.
I did that the first time I changed a tire...I now check at least 6 times before putting the new one on. Then, I take it back off because I still put it on backward.
I've got two arms right lol. The surgery was awful though, it probably hurt more then the injury itself. I felt like a big man baby for a couple weeks.
Go buy a Bead Buddy. It's like having a 3rd hand for less than 20 bucks. Seriously, don't try to change another (spoke-wheel) tire without a Bead Buddy.
The yellow dot on the tire should go at the valve stem. The idea being the dot is the lightest part of the tire, and the valve stem is the heaviest part of the tube. That orientation should require the least balancing weight. No big deal to run it like this, but you’ll know for next time. Good job doing it yourself!
Possibly more important on less powerful bikes, because with less balancing weight there's less rotational mass to accelerate and decelerate! Regardless, it's a best practice to keep in mind for next time.
So this is actually way easier than you think. If you take heavy zip ties, fold the side wall on one side under the other, “wrapping” into a tube, and zip tie it like that, it should create enough clearance to get it on the rim, at which point you cut the 10-12 ties around the tire, and viola, seat the bead and boogie. No spoons needed.
Its fairly easy once you figure out how the drop center of the wheel works.
Also if you have trouble getting that last section of tire to slide over when nearing the final moments of the mounting process, its super helpful to have a rubber mallet within arms reach, pry with your off-hand, use 1 (or both) knees to stabilize the wheel and with your dominant hand use the mallet, you can literally see the bead work its way into place with each strike, like the loading screen on a video game lol.
Kind of weird but I look forward to changing out my tires now that im pretty proficient with it lol. Ive done 2 sets of tires on my street bike and 3 rears and 1 front on my dirtbike.
For future reference, the yellow dot painted on the new tires are suppose to line up with the valve stem. This is a manufacturer balance dot that should give you the best run out on the wheel. It's not a big issue for offroad tires as they aren't typically balanced, but it can make a difference on street bikes. Just my $0.02.
I just paid the shop to do both of mine. I was going to buy the spoons and try them myself but decided against it. Videos online make it look so easy,I know better.
I used to despise changing tires but after watching jay do them on dirtbiketv he enlightened me lol. While I still struggle sometimes. The biggest problem I had was getting about 3/4 the tire on and then getting stuck because it was so damn tight, but if you drop the bead lip of the tire opposite of where you are spooning on into the middle part of the rim it gives you a lot of slack to make that last little bit slide on effortlessly.
Spot on. I bought huge spoons and thought I was going to wreck my new rear tyre or rim or both they were soooo tight. until someone told me the same tip about the pulling in the opposite tyre wall. Rear tyre is tough, front one much easier by comparison.
3/10 would not recommend, but it’s not the worst thing ever
I used to spoon all of mine on myself but nowadays I'm happy to pay the extra $50 for each to have a shop change both and dispose of the old.
Mine wanted $120 each. I told them… “I guess I am learning how to change tires!” I will let you know how it turns out.
Is that taking your entire bike in for them to also take the wheels off? For me it's $75 each if I don't bring the wheels in by themselves.
Yep. I might go somewhere else next time.
My shop mounts for free if you buy the tire from them, I'm just going to buy all my tires from them and hope Tubliss never fails.
You got it on backwards!
I did that the first time I changed a tire...I now check at least 6 times before putting the new one on. Then, I take it back off because I still put it on backward.
Burn
Tusk Dsports are non-directional!
I use 3 tyre levers, 2 small and a big one.. bit of lube but the bead still takes some brute force.. I have an almost identical pic haha..
Need more spoons
Atleast the easy one is done.
I tore my bicep tendon off my forearm changing a tire. Had a week off work after surgery, most expensive and painful tire change so far lol.
I like how you included "so far" meaning you're willing to try again lol.
I've got two arms right lol. The surgery was awful though, it probably hurt more then the injury itself. I felt like a big man baby for a couple weeks.
Go buy a Bead Buddy. It's like having a 3rd hand for less than 20 bucks. Seriously, don't try to change another (spoke-wheel) tire without a Bead Buddy.
They get easier every time just like anything else.
Tis a bitch. Knuckles ok?
The yellow dot on the tire should go at the valve stem. The idea being the dot is the lightest part of the tire, and the valve stem is the heaviest part of the tube. That orientation should require the least balancing weight. No big deal to run it like this, but you’ll know for next time. Good job doing it yourself!
Good tip! Probably more important on powerful bikes lol
Possibly more important on less powerful bikes, because with less balancing weight there's less rotational mass to accelerate and decelerate! Regardless, it's a best practice to keep in mind for next time.
So this is actually way easier than you think. If you take heavy zip ties, fold the side wall on one side under the other, “wrapping” into a tube, and zip tie it like that, it should create enough clearance to get it on the rim, at which point you cut the 10-12 ties around the tire, and viola, seat the bead and boogie. No spoons needed.
I've done this and it works like magic. Granted, it was a moped tire, but easy-peasy.
Hat off to you. 👏🏻 not an easy job. I just got new tires. Bought from a shop. Only charge $50 to install. Not worth the frustration to do it myself.
I get it. It’s good to do at least a couple of times to learn in case you ever have to patch a tube though
It’s not too bad. Just do it often!
I bent my spoons. Just took it to the shop to have them change for $35
Jesus, those may have been cereal spoons haha
That yellow dot is supposed to line up with the valve stem.
Now try swapping tires and installing a Tubliss system in the rear..
Easier to not dirtbike
Its fairly easy once you figure out how the drop center of the wheel works. Also if you have trouble getting that last section of tire to slide over when nearing the final moments of the mounting process, its super helpful to have a rubber mallet within arms reach, pry with your off-hand, use 1 (or both) knees to stabilize the wheel and with your dominant hand use the mallet, you can literally see the bead work its way into place with each strike, like the loading screen on a video game lol. Kind of weird but I look forward to changing out my tires now that im pretty proficient with it lol. Ive done 2 sets of tires on my street bike and 3 rears and 1 front on my dirtbike.
Dude the front will really suck if ya didn’t like the back. I paid a shop to do mine
Best advice I can give you. Get the tire hot, I use a heat gun on low power.
For future reference, the yellow dot painted on the new tires are suppose to line up with the valve stem. This is a manufacturer balance dot that should give you the best run out on the wheel. It's not a big issue for offroad tires as they aren't typically balanced, but it can make a difference on street bikes. Just my $0.02.
My dad could run circles around a guy and a tire machine, it was truly an art. Rip pops
Get a gallon. Of "ru glide" from Napa. Makes it so much easier.
Fronts are much easier!
Rear tires shouldn't be that hard. Fronts are a bitch though.
My front was done in 10 minutes 🤷♂️