Just did a set of tires on the RT last night/this morning. Definitely not simple and easy however, there are pros and cons vs the No Mar.
Front/Rear Tires - Dunlop Roadsmart 3 to Bridgestone Battlax T32
- Dismount
- The bead breaker on the Rabaconda is kinda awkward but very adjustable, the No Mar is always in the same setting so it feels easier from that stand point but once you adjust the Rabaconda it breaks the bead just fine.
- Using the tire iron to get the first bead into the duckhead for a rear tire was a bear, I was afraid I was going to bend the rim doing that but I walked away and came back a couple times then just worked it a few times and got it hooked into the duckhead.
- Once I started to ratchet to dismount the first bead the bead would settle back into the rim so I used a piece of plastic into the sliver of tire lip that was trying to go back into the rim and that was enough to let the bead go over the rim enough and then it was cake after that.
- Mounting
- Pretty easy, set the duckhead and then put it in the 8 o'clock position and slowly ratchet it.
- This is where the Rabaconda excels over the No Mar. As the duckhead mounts the tire you get to the point where the tire isn't in the drop center of the wheel and with the No Mar you need to add blocks of wood and/or try to push down in opposite areas of the tire while holding the No Mar tire tool in place. The Rabaconda avoids this as the ratchet will hold the duckhead in place while you push down on the other parts of the tire to get it into the drop center and that does allow the tire that extra movement you need to get it mounted.
Conclusion
- Most tire changer videos rarely show changing a rear sport touring tire we typically use and Bridgestones are historically of the tougher tires due to the stiff sidewalls.
- Is the Rabaconda a ton easier than the No Mar? No, it's better in some areas of mounting but a little awkward when dismounting so maybe a wash. However, stiff sidewalls are where I've always had issues with the No Mar and the Rabaconda has definitely made that part of the process better when you get to the point you thing you'll need to use spoons to get the tire on. I've done that many times with the No Mar because I could never get the tire pushed into the drop center enough, even with wood blocks. So, for me that's a big winner.
- Obviously, being able to break down the changer and put in the supplied bag til needed is a big advantage as well.
So, Rear tires are about 25% easier w/Rabaconda. Front tires are so easy it's comical and with more practice it should be easier.
. thought a chunk of the wheel was gonna break off. not enough space in the center of wheel to give the bead room.
