About time I got a tire changer

[Grumpy Goat]

Grumpy. I have the Cycle Hill unit, which I bolt to the garage floor for use. It is made by No-Mar and comes with the same attachment tools as the name branded changer. It works well but is about at its' limit holding the rim for mounting the back tire. The rim wants to slip while you are levering the tire on. I'll try warming the tire next time to see if that helps.

The center rod for the front tire question: My changer came with three center rods, and the smallest one works fine for the front tire. You don't need much force to mount the front tire so it works fine.

Bob - that is good news ... about the adequacy of the Cycle Hill unit. With Darrell's plywood base testimony and your endorsement of the Cycle Hill unit, maybe that is where I should be looking.

Regarding the slipping - check out this video on YouTube by the IllinoisBMWriders channel - Motorcycle Tire Change & Balance - DIY - he uses a strap to tie the rim to one of the arms to help with that tendency to slip (skip to 6:51 if you want to jump to the strap part) on his Harbor Freight tire changer. I suspect that may work on yours ...?