DIY Tyre changing in field

WindyChuffer

WindyChuffer

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Sorry in advance if this has been covered in the past.

Am trying to suss out how to change tyres in the field, and I guess one of the biggest challenges in breaking the bead.

I heard that the Best Rest Products Compressor is the dogs danglies, and I also see that they do a Portable Bead Breaker. Metal Mule sell these products in the UK.

Has anyone any experience of this product?

Any other ideas for breaking the bead in the field? Does using the side stand actually work OK?
 
you can deflate the tyre completely and a quick taz around should pull it out the bead... dont blame me if you crash though.

a good pair of tough boots on a fat mate jumping on it can also work.
 
taz?

what's that then?

vilguy said:
you can deflate the tyre completely and a quick taz around should pull it out the bead... dont blame me if you crash though.

a good pair of tough boots on a fat mate jumping on it can also work.
Click to expand...
 
WindyChuffer said:
... Am trying to suss out how to change tyres in the field, and I guess one of the biggest challenges in breaking the bead.
Click to expand...
First things first - why would you be changing the tyre? :nenau

If its just to repair a puncture, why not use a repair kit? Saves a lot of faffing around.

If you're on a long trip and far away from home and your tyre's shagged, then obviously that's a different matter.
 
Taff said:
First things first - why would you be changing the tyre? if its just to repair a puncture, why not use a repair kit. Saves a lot of faffing around.
Click to expand...

- Plus build up general maintenance knowledge etc..
- Likely doing the HUMM event in July. Ride down on road tyres, change to knobblies for the event and back again.
- Thinking ahead - doing a long road trip next year. Need to change between x-over and road tyres. Want to be self sufficient...
 
WindyChuffer said:
- Plus build up general maintenance knowledge etc.. Likely doing the HUMM event in July. Ride down on road tyres, change to knobblies for the event and back again. Thinking ahead - doing a long road trip next year. Need to change between x-over and road tyres. Want to be self sufficient...
Click to expand...
If its for an event, you will be doing 4 tyres changes (front and back, from road tyres to knobblies, and back again). Personally I would ride to the event on knobblies - or trailer it. :thumb2

Changing tubed tyres isn't difficult, but as you said breaking the bead on a tubeless tyre is the bugger. TBH I've never done it, but I have seen it done by borrowing a mates bike (obviously you can't do it on your own bike) putting the side stand down and gently using that as a lever. They made it look effortless, but they knew what they were doing and had done it before.

If you can afford it, you could keep a spare set of wheels with knobblies on and just swap the whole wheels over. :thumb2
 
WindyChuffer said:
Am trying to suss out how to change tyres in the field, and I guess one of the biggest challenges in breaking the bead.
Click to expand...

Yup, it's a bit of agame until you've done it a few times.

You also need to get air into the tyre rapidly in order to get both sidewalls part-seated on the inside of the rim before they will seal and allow further inflation. An air-line will push air in fast enough to do this but something like a footpump is usually too slow, though if it's all you've got you can tie a loop of rope around the circumference of the tyre and tighten it by twisting it with a stick until the side walls begin to push out and make contact all around the inside of the rim creating a seal to hold in the initial few lbs of air pressure. After that you are home and dry..other than you often need about 50psi to get the bead to pop and sit evenly on both sides. It helps greatly if the tyre is warm, its a b**ch if is seriously cold as the rubber is stiffer.

I'm sure there are gnarly dudes out there that have neat tricks for doing this like a can of butane and a match.
 
it is poss but is it worth the effort? All the stuff u have to carry plus the tyers if it is literly in a field u have to stop the stand sinking for a start and carry tools a compressor I would slime the tyers or punture seal and carry a small repair kit. JJH
 
WindyChuffer said:
I heard that the Best Rest Products Compressor is the dogs danglies, QUOTE]

I've had mine for several years.
Even used it to rescue other riders on the road.

Here State side,some department stores sell a makeshift-cheap version encased in a plastic assembly used for automobiles. People remove the plastic cover for reasons of easy packing.
They work "OK" but after use the device is HOT to the touch so WATCH IT!!

The Best Rest comes in a neatly compact aluminum case. Looks and operates great! No Fear of touching after operation due to it's case assembly.
Well worth the expense!:thumb
Click to expand...
 
i use a spade, put it on the tyre near the rim and jump on it, works every time unless your only 8 stone
 
RickG said:
Yup, it's a bit of agame until you've done it a few times.

You also need to get air into the tyre rapidly in order to get both sidewalls part-seated on the inside of the rim before they will seal and allow further inflation. An air-line will push air in fast enough to do this but something like a footpump is usually too slow, though if it's all you've got you can tie a loop of rope around the circumference of the tyre and tighten it by twisting it with a stick until the side walls begin to push out and make contact all around the inside of the rim creating a seal to hold in the initial few lbs of air pressure. After that you are home and dry..other than you often need about 50psi to get the bead to pop and sit evenly on both sides. It helps greatly if the tyre is warm, its a b**ch if is seriously cold as the rubber is stiffer.

I'm sure there are gnarly dudes out there that have neat tricks for doing this like a can of butane and a match.
Click to expand...



Top fekin tip:thumb2

rope around the tyre, never thought of that....:blast


fekin petrol station air lines are crap....only have a small air tank , and use a pulse method to the tyre...:(
this will not pop yer side walls to the rim...:(
ye need a good strong compressor and an airline:thumb

Y? coz a bloody know , was stook today wi a flat tyre after changin the front wheel, wobbled down to the petrol station, pump , no good..

so called brakedown, n it turned out there was a bloody garage behind me:blast
quick blast on the airline , bead poped once...twice... tyre up.....sorted...

next time ill go to the bloody garage n wip wheel off n let em change the bloody tyre...less hastle:mad:

D.I.Y is for :ymca


ugg
 
ugg said:
ye need a good strong compressor and an airline:thumb

ugg
Click to expand...

Yup, it also helps if you unscrew and remove the valve core as then what little air you have can blast in quicker and hopefully get the initial seal.
 
Bead breaker - small G clamp, fit it up from the rim, not over the tyre ;), easy to carry and useful for other things, unlike a specific bead breaking tool .

Small ratchett strap for lacing around outside of tyre and ratchetting it down so it holds air from any pump, even a hand pump, and then let it loose..

Both available from pound shops.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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