diy tyre change

[Sootyvandriver]

Does anyone change tyres themselves on a GS. I have never bothered changing them myself, But some of the deals online for tyres are quite tempting.
I assume I will need good and levers rim protectors etc. How about balancing.
These are spoked wheels

Advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

Sooty

 

[NicD]

Not on a GS, but have changed many on an enduro bike which is much easier than a GS, and it is a right pain in the backside. Well worth paying someone £20 or so to change them for you. Cost of tyre levers, bead breaker, and 30-60 mins of proper faff are way higher in my opinion

 

[Andi_archer]

It depends which tyres your mounting as some have very stiff side walls and can be brutal to put on so if you have the option get them changed on a machine.

 

[JonnyBravo]

I do my own tyres on the GSA (spokes) for several years now.
Yes it was hard at first to get the knack right but now I rate it as an easy home job
I use a set of the short Motion Pro levers and some washing up liquid mixture!
Gave up with the real rim protectors as too cumbersome and use a bit of thin plastic milk cartons or mostly nothing at all, a few rim scratchs dont bother me as I use my GSA off road on trails etc anyway sometimes.
If the bead wont break using the levers the side stand always does the trick.
To seat the bead I use easy start and a lighter as I have only have a small air pump which cant kick out enough volume quickly.
Icelandic style and works everytime.
Simples and an hour of your time in the shed with a beer or two and radio X

Or just pay someone the extra £25 and be done with it !

 

[Sootyvandriver]

Tyre fitter it is then, Thanks for the replies.

 

[ninjarich1971]

I’m just down road from you and change and balance my own tyres, if your interested give me a pm

 

[JJH]

Its easy. JJH

 

[fizzer]

i just seen a mate do it with brake cleaner and fire

 

[roamer]

Hi Sooty, there is a technique, its worth watching someone who is proficient and can do it without trashing the wheels,
i use 8 inch metal mountain bike levers and plastic rim protectors like motion pro,
the older gs spoked wheels need some force to break the bead but after that its straight forward, the new lc alloy wheels are shallow and just need small bites to remove them,
i stretch a bit of old t shirt over the rim then fit the protectors as not scratching the wheels is a priority and the main reason i do them myself,
so a decent lever type bead breaker , no frame type wonder jigs necessary,
deep foam kneeling mat with a hole in the size of a brake disc,
8inch tyre levers ,
rim protectors, static balancer, rear wheel adapter [which i have made for a few tossers ],
balance weights and a compressor ,
lots of tyres can be fitted by using your boot heel to feed the tyre over the rim on second bead, that's where a doctored foam mat is invaluable and protects brake discs,
There is no need for big levers and brute force, it isn't necessary and can damage the wheels,
i am a bit farther away but like ninja rich the offer is there,
Roamer,

 

[ianboydsnr]

i just seen a mate do it with brake cleaner and fire

Did he blow the old tyres off?

 

[Steptoe]

and some washing up liquid mixture!

You shouldn’t use washing up liquid, it contains salt and will feck your rims up over time leading to loss of air due to pitting/corrosion causing bad sealing between tyre and rim.

 

[fizzer]

Did he blow the old tyres off?

took the old ones of with tyre levers ,broke the bead with a big vice and plenty packing so not to damage the rims ,put the new ones with soap and a pair of big boots ,he used the brake cleaner and fire to get the tyre onto the bead

but you already knew that

 

[JonnyBravo]

You shouldn’t use washing up liquid, it contains salt and will feck your rims up over time leading to loss of air due to pitting/corrosion causing bad sealing between tyre and rim.

Fair enough -
However if the rims do start to corrode it will only help match the rest of the frame!

 

[Dazlove]

As other have said, its an easy job.
When I decided to start doing mine some years ago I invested in an ABBA bead breaker (Very simple to use), a tub of bead lube (lasts for years) and a compressor.
I like the fact that I don't feel compelled to change the tyres if it was in for a service and the tyres were getting low, but more importantly as its used every day I do pick up the odd puncture so keep a spare at home and if need be change the tyre when I get home.
As others have said, cut up plastic milk bottles to make rim protectors and use good tyre levers.
The best tip I would add is keep the new tyre in the airing cupboard for an hour before you fit as this helps it to be more flexible.
I don't bother with balancing and its never been an issue.
Regards
Dazlove

 

[ianboydsnr]

As other have said, its an easy job.
When I decided to start doing mine some years ago I invested in an ABBA bead breaker (Very simple to use), a tub of bead lube (lasts for years) and a compressor.
I like the fact that I don't feel compelled to change the tyres if it was in for a service and the tyres were getting low, but more importantly as its used every day I do pick up the odd puncture so keep a spare at home and if need be change the tyre when I get home.
As others have said, cut up plastic milk bottles to make rim protectors and use good tyre levers.
The best tip I would add is keep the new tyre in the airing cupboard for an hour before you fit as this helps it to be more flexible.
I don't bother with balancing and its never been an issue.
Regards
Dazlove

I found that head and shoulders bottles cut up, are more durable than milk bottles.