When I get old (I'm only 70 now), I'll think about getting one of those machines that do it all. A couple years ago, the local dealer raised their price. At first, it was $30 a wheel, mounted & balanced) and on the bike. It was so cheap, I didn't think twice about having them do it.
Then they raised their price to $70 a wheel. No gradual jacking up the price, just doubling it from one set of tires to another. Sure, I could still afford it, but the idea bothered me. I grew up on bicycles and when we lived in Texas, those thorns caused enough punctures that I think I was repairing my tires each day. Then I ended up working at a service station and I think I've changed several hundred tires on the machine. Both situations are not the same, but the principle is.
I bought a set of the Motion Pro BeadPro tire irons and built a really simple wooden frame to keep the brake rotor from sitting directly on the floor. They worked. You just have to watch your technique. I later bought a bead breaker for about $60. Every time I find myself straining to get the tire off or on, I simply step back and say, what are you doing wrong? Watch your technique.
Doing my own tires, gives me freedom. Freedom to do it on my schedule, when I want to, and not on the dealership's schedule. It isn't rocket science. And when I do it myself, I know it is done right.
It also keeps me in shape. My primary care doctor asked me when we first met how often I worked out. He expected me to say I went to the gym several times a week. No, I just work around the house keeping up the property. Mowing the lawn takes me about 3 hours. Why should I pay someone to mow my lawn, and then go down to the local gym and pay to work out there. It's the same with changing my own tires. Yes, it is several hours of time spent, and I do exert some effort doing it, but that probably keeps me in shape.
Chris
