[Rios929]

I've decided I'd rather buy tools than keep paying the stealer to change and balance my tires. I plan on doing two or three track days every summer so they will pay themselves off quickly.

I searched and found that some people have been using "tire qwik" tools. They look like a great deal. It looks like I can get everything I need for $160;
The "standard set" from tire qwik

Should I go ahead and order this, or is there a better option?
Anything else I should know?

Thanks

[TCD]

That's a good set. I've been changing my tires with that system for about the last 2 years. I would add the 16" tire lever to your purchase as well. It helps to have that extra bit of leverage.

It does take time and patience however. Currently I have a 2.5 hour turn around time.

[OntheEdge]

I made my own stuff to do it and posted how to make it on here over a year ago and I'd say it take about an hour and a half to change out both tires. That's with them on the bike.

Homemade tire changer

[TraumaOne]

DOes that bead breaker work well? I've been using a small floor jack and the A-Frame of my trailer to break beads... It works but it takes a couple of hands.

[nomad13RR]

Originally Posted by Rios929

I've decided I'd rather buy tools than keep paying the stealer to change and balance my tires. I plan on doing two or three track days every summer so they will pay themselves off quickly.

I searched and found that some people have been using "tire qwik" tools. They look like a great deal. It looks like I can get everything I need for $160;
The "standard set" from tire qwik

Should I go ahead and order this, or is there a better option?
Anything else I should know?

Thanks

I have the tire qwik set, and it works well with some practice.

[Baketech]

I have the ultimate tire changing tool....a riding buddy with a Coates 220....

[Chrome Dome]

My friend has a changer similar to the tire qwik. I've changed 4 sets this summer for 11 track days. It boils down to this:

Pros:

1) Save money

2) Good exercise; It's a pain in the a$$


Cons:

1) It's a pain in the a$$; It takes at least 90 minutes for both wheels and that's moving fast. TCD says 2.5 hours... That's sounds more like it

2) You are guaranteed to scratch the living piss out of your wheels. If people say they don't or you can be "extra careful" I call

After talking to the tire dealer at the race track, I found out I'm only saving $20 per set for mounting and balancing. So I'm only going to change my tires myself if I have no other options.

So it really boils down to this: If you don't mind scratches on your wheels (e.g. you have a track bike) and saving $20-40 is worth 1-3 hours of your free time then this is the way to go.

[Rios929]

Yeah, that sounds about right, but my dealer charges me $50 to change and balance when I bring in just the rims. I have a set of tires for the street, and a set for the track. So every trackday is gonna be $100 dollars to get them switched before and after. I guess eventually I'd like to get an extra set of rims.

[TraumaOne]

Anybody tried this?

[TraumaOne]

Originally Posted by Chrome Dome

2) You are guaranteed to scratch the living piss out of your wheels. If people say they don't or you can be "extra careful" I call

After talking to the tire dealer at the race track, I found out I'm only saving $20 per set for mounting and balancing. So I'm only going to change my tires myself if I have no other options.

That is the advantage to having black rims... A little black spray paint and you are golden

$20 a set? My dealer charges 45 a wheel... More like $90 for me.

[Rios929]

Originally Posted by TraumaOne

Anybody tried this?

Can't get the link to work

[TraumaOne]

Hmm, works for me... I will recheck it...

[Chrome Dome]

Originally Posted by TraumaOne

$20 a set? My dealer charges 45 a wheel... More like $90 for me.

[Cowboy1600]

Fak....you guys get rolled....cost me $A15 per tyre if you dont buy the tyres from where i go....else he fits for free(well adds it to the cost of the tyre, but still does great deals on tyres)

[Joel]

I managed to score a tire changer from America's Tire Co. that they were getting rid of. It's pneumatic, does not scratch my rims and works way better than the manual versions. I paid $200 for it. It's paid for itself many times.

[Rios929]

Originally Posted by Joel

I managed to score a tire changer from America's Tire Co. that they were getting rid of. It's pneumatic, does not scratch my rims and works way better than the manual versions. I paid $200 for it. It's paid for itself many times.

That sounds awsome. you got lucky

[Rios929]

Anybody have this setup? Comments? If I got this, I would still need to get a balancer though.

[bpa00]

I use the tire qwik setup and it works well for me... It is a pain in the ass, but you save lots of $$. I figure I save $70 on the tire change + another $100 or so because I can take advantage of cheap internet tire deals... I'd say it is about a 2 hour process for me (some tires are REALLY stubborn and can take longer)...

Some track days have tire vendors, and I usually let them change my tires as it is only like $10 per tire....

- BA

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by Cowboy1600

Fak....you guys get rolled....cost me $A15 per tyre if you dont buy the tyres from where i go....else he fits for free(well adds it to the cost of the tyre, but still does great deals on tyres)

But we use US$ so it is more like $20 and they put those darn tires on which seem to be much harder than tyres

[Rios929]

I emailed the Tire Qwik dealer two days ago to see if they had the tools in stock, and they haven't even responded. I'm hesitant to send money via paypal to someone who doesn't respond to their emails .

I really want to change my tires though. Did you guys who have the tire qwik system get it from their website?

[figment]

Neduro’s Tire Changing Class…

[deez]

If you want to save yourself the $ over the long term, then buy the Coates machine. Unless you are downright poor, the TireQwik changer is more of a pain in the ass than it's worth. Major PITA!

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by booth23

If you want to save yourself the $ over the long term, then buy the Coates machine. Unless you are downright poor, the TireQwik changer is more of a pain in the ass than it's worth. Major PITA!

Maybe I am missing something but I thought a Coates machine was in the $2K range unless you get lucky and find a deal on used.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Maybe I am missing something but I thought a Coates machine was in the $2K range unless you get lucky and find a deal on used.

The Coates 220 is a manual machine.....in the $7-800 range.


Personally, I think the TireQwik setup works fine, but you can make something similar in your garage for less $$ is you have a few tools...

[evl_twn]

I also bought a Coats 220 after fighting with cheap tire machines. The 220 is still a manual changer, not turntable, but it WORKS. The electric turntable ones are usually in the $2k range, but the 220 is about $800. I also got a balancer from Handy Industries.

http://www.wikco.com/Coats220.html