I do not think this question has been asked lately. Will run it past the group again for any recent opinions. (old opinions are more than welcome as well, because I cannot find the old thread )
After my last bike shop tire change adventure at a local shop, I am planning on setting up to change my own tires - maybe available for others as well who want to drop in, visit, and change their own - on their own liability ) I figure by buying tires online on sale and not paying shop mounting fees, one could spend a little on decent tire changing equipment and eventually not be out a lot of scratch in a couple of years?
Anyone have any experiences or opinions they want to share on any of the reasonably available brands and models?

Anyone have any experience with a NO-MAR unit? http://www.nomartirechanger.com/Articles.asp?ID=259

Thanks, mike

I have the Coats 220 and it does an ok job of holding the wheel. I still have yet to master running the tool around the bead to get the tire on and off and usually end up getting in there with good old fashioned tire irons.

I have a cheap little tire balancer that works on gravity and some 1/4 oz weights and have been changing my own tires now for 8 years.

I actually don't use the machine when changing the front wheel because then I would have to remove at least one of the brake rotors. I usually just change the front tire on the floor of my garage using tire irons. It is 500% easier if you use lubrication on the tire bead. With enough lube, sometimes I can just push the tire on.

Both my bikes have the spoke rims so I can't speak to the cast rims, but the cast have to be easier. That darn tube can be a PITA.

I don't have the no-mar changer but I do have their no-mar bar for changing tires, along with the yellow thing for holding the bead. I have the harbor freight machine but they don't make it anymore. If I was to do over again I would buy the no-mar machine. If you keep your bike for years like I have done and we owned 3 bikes now down to 2 the machine will pay for itself in short order since you won't be paying someone to change your tires ever again............

I've used the No-Mar at the cycle show, and it's excellent. I was set to buy one when I got back from Maine, but then, things changed, and I don't have anywhere to put one, but still want one.

Zip tie removal


Zip tie mount


Easy peasy and you can reuse the zip ties if you know how to undo them.

Crazyron1369 wrote:
Zip tie removal


Zip tie mount


Easy peasy and you can reuse the zip ties if you know how to undo them.

Can you use this method with tubes?

Crazyron1369 wrote:
Zip tie removal


Zip tie mount


Easy peasy and you can reuse the zip ties if you know how to undo them.

With my no-mar and H.F. tire machine I would be done and sitting having my 2nd beer by time you got that tire off using the zip tie method.

I bought the current HF tire changer.... junk. (Could be user/operator, but I found it flimsy and unsuccessful at removing a tubed tire). Ended up taking it somewhere to be done.

I'll have to look into the no-mar, but for now I'll pay someone else.

Trust me Mike when I say this. I tried to change mine a couple years ago and was bound and determined to do this myself. I got on youtube and read several posts on here. And I poured out 10 gallons of sweat, busted my knee and hands and 3 hours later I bit the bullet and took them to the dealer and they charged me $20 to mount them both. I even poked a hole in my new tube.

So I will never and repeat Never try this again. Now with that said several members have had success, just not me.I did however put dynabeads in the tubes and have never had a problem with balance.

shane8813 wrote:
I did however put dynabeads in the tubes and have never had a problem with balance.

I'll have to remember that next time I'm drinking too much. I hate losing my balance.