Tire changer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,147
From: Las Vegas
I just got the starter kit, no extras other than what comes in the kit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
I found a used NO MAR Classic for 300 bucks with all the accessories a couple years ago, Works pretty good, breaking the bead is a piece of cake, dis mounting pretty easy, mounting takes a bit of practice but am satisfied with it.
That Rabaconda also looks like a very well built tool that would do the job well.
That Rabaconda also looks like a very well built tool that would do the job well.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,682
Likes: 8,414
From: Utah
I have a NoMar Classic, the first few times I used it I thought I’d never get it. Learned a few tricks and made a video so I’d be able to watch it before I change the next one. It’s fairly easy now and it doesn’t take very long to get a new tire on the rim.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
Another vote for the Rabaconda. Bought it in the spring and have done front and rear on the BMW and front on the (wire spoke / tube type,) Low Rider's front tire.
All were easy (the trick as said, plentiful bead grease and I'll add to that sunshine... Let the tires sit out on the asphalt until they warm up a bit.
At $70 a pop now around here for a shop swap, this thing will pay for itself in about 3 years.
All were easy (the trick as said, plentiful bead grease and I'll add to that sunshine... Let the tires sit out on the asphalt until they warm up a bit.
At $70 a pop now around here for a shop swap, this thing will pay for itself in about 3 years.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 137
From: North Carolina
I bought the Rabaconda and I'm happy with it. I got the extra 15mm spindle kit too. I've changes front and rear tires for my 2018 Limited and the both on my son's 2003 Heritage. I also took the old bald tires off of my original 2013 electra glide rims before I sold them. I like that it doesn't need bolted down to the floor and comes apart for easy storage in its bag.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 761
Likes: 124
From: College Station TX
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,895
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
I have a No-Mar Jr Pro. I've had it for over 10 years and changed more than a few tires. I've watched the videos, and I'm familiar with the techniques (ie keep opposite end of tire in drop center, use plenty of tire lube, etc) but I still have huge problems installing the large rear touring tires (180/65B-16). I've rarely been able to use the No-Mar mount bar to install them. It's typically a spoon install for those tires.
Just today I was installing a new rear tire (180/65B-16). Outside weather was cold, tire was cold, and the effort to spoon this tire on was large! I've never had an issue breaking a bead or demounting a tire using the No-Mar.
I'm considering whether to order a Rabaconda (they have a black Friday sale going on). There are a couple of features of the Rabaconda that appeal to me.
1. Portable
2. It uses the duck head. It seems like most tire changers use a form of a duck head. The duck head seems to be a better tool then the larger mount/demount tips used on the No-Mar bar. Plus, the No-Mar bar doesn't really work with narrow rim wheels.
3. I like the way the Rabaconda uses a ratcheting mechanism along with your body weight. This seems like a much more efficient mechanism than using your hips and pushing a bar around a center post.
So, be honest, what's the effort like installing a 180/65B-16 tire using a Rabaconda?
Just today I was installing a new rear tire (180/65B-16). Outside weather was cold, tire was cold, and the effort to spoon this tire on was large! I've never had an issue breaking a bead or demounting a tire using the No-Mar.
I'm considering whether to order a Rabaconda (they have a black Friday sale going on). There are a couple of features of the Rabaconda that appeal to me.
1. Portable
2. It uses the duck head. It seems like most tire changers use a form of a duck head. The duck head seems to be a better tool then the larger mount/demount tips used on the No-Mar bar. Plus, the No-Mar bar doesn't really work with narrow rim wheels.
3. I like the way the Rabaconda uses a ratcheting mechanism along with your body weight. This seems like a much more efficient mechanism than using your hips and pushing a bar around a center post.
So, be honest, what's the effort like installing a 180/65B-16 tire using a Rabaconda?
Last edited by LQQK_OUT; Nov 24, 2023 at 10:51 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,147
From: Las Vegas
I have a No-Mar Jr Pro. I've had it for over 10 years and changed more than a few tires. I've watched the videos, and I'm familiar with the techniques (ie keep opposite end of tire in drop center, use plenty of tire lube, etc) but I still have huge problems installing the large rear touring tires (180/65B-16). I've rarely been able to use the No-Mar mount bar to install them. It's typically a spoon install for those tires.
Just today I was installing a new rear tire (180/65B-16). Outside weather was cold, tire was cold, and the effort to spoon this tire on was large! I've never had an issue breaking a bead or demounting a tire using the No-Mar.
I'm considering whether to order a Rabaconda (they have a black Friday sale going on). There are a couple of features of the Rabaconda that appeal to me.
1. Portable
2. It uses the duck head. It seems like most tire changers use a form of a duck head. The duck head seems to be a better tool then the larger mount/demount tips used on the No-Mar bar. Plus, the No-Mar bar doesn't really work with narrow rim wheels.
3. I like the way the Rabaconda uses a ratcheting mechanism along with your body weight. This seems like a much more efficient mechanism than using your hips and pushing a bar around a center post.
So, be honest, what's the effort like installing a 180/65B-16 tire using a Rabaconda?
Just today I was installing a new rear tire (180/65B-16). Outside weather was cold, tire was cold, and the effort to spoon this tire on was large! I've never had an issue breaking a bead or demounting a tire using the No-Mar.
I'm considering whether to order a Rabaconda (they have a black Friday sale going on). There are a couple of features of the Rabaconda that appeal to me.
1. Portable
2. It uses the duck head. It seems like most tire changers use a form of a duck head. The duck head seems to be a better tool then the larger mount/demount tips used on the No-Mar bar. Plus, the No-Mar bar doesn't really work with narrow rim wheels.
3. I like the way the Rabaconda uses a ratcheting mechanism along with your body weight. This seems like a much more efficient mechanism than using your hips and pushing a bar around a center post.
So, be honest, what's the effort like installing a 180/65B-16 tire using a Rabaconda?