Rabaconda Street Tire Changer

[Grumpy Goat]

If you're considering changing your own tires, take a look at this https://rabaconda.com/products/street-bike-tire-changer. This is a magical little machine that weighs only 36 lbs (16 kg) and comes with a carry bag, so is completely portable. I bought the starter kit, which comes with bead grease and brush, 2 bead hold-down tools, and a few other bits and pieces. I also bought an extra hold-down tool, and the BMW 62/72 mm rear wheel adaptor.
I recently changed my Dunlop Roadsmart 4 tires (old and new) with it, and I couldn't believe how easy it was. The RS4s are known to have a very stiff sidewall and to be very difficult to change, so I was expecting some struggle. I did have about 30 seconds of struggle getting the second bead of the new rear tire mounted. The key is to get as much of the already mounted bead as possible into the drop-center of the rim. I needed all three hold-down tools for that step. 
Before attempting my first change I watched the Tutorial a bunch of times, made a checklist of things to remember, and then followed the video step by step as I changed the tires. I think that all helped a lot. 
The sheer genius of this machine, which now seems so obvious now but no-one else ever thought of, is that all the effort is in pushing down against the ground. The ratchet system means when mounting or dismounting you stand behind the machine and push the handle down repeatedly. You don't have to anchor the machine to the floor, you just need a non-slip surface on which to work. I used a heavy-duty 3' x 5' rubber-backed mat that we have. 
The Rabaconda is not cheap. I think the total for everything I bought was about US$700. ...

Well Michael, again you are the bomb! Thanks for making me have to open my flipping wallet and pull out $700!!  

This makes sooooo much sense from an engineering standpoint, and even if you find you need more force you can always add that be increasing the lever arm (with a pipe extension). I love the duck head which appears to be more robust than the tips on my Cycle Hill changer, and which is similar to those on the real motorized machines in tire shops. Such a simple *and transporable* machine. Its design makes the Cycle Hill changer almost (dare I say it) backward, with its horizontal plane of effort. 

The most important bits I highlighted in red. 

I guess my bonus will be going towards one of these, since I have several used tires that I will *not* throw away just because of one puncture!! 

Thanks again Michael. Now I have to list a lightly used Cycle Hill setup for sale ...

For me the rest (balancing etc) is easy, but you offer some excellent tips ... as usual.