After watching Dennis Thomas and three helpers all struggling to mount a tire onto the 17″ Honda wheel rim using pry bars and long screwdrivers on the club cyclekart video, I decided I would have to find a better way.  I was going to have to do this all by myself and I did not want to discover I had accidentally punctured a tube as they did. Watching their struggle reminded me how often I too struggled to repair my bicycle wheels or install new tires when I was a kid.

After a quick look at Harbor Freight, my favorite goto tool solution, I was unimpressed and decided to build something myself.  So I took some scrap 3″ rectangular tubing and a piece of 2″ pipe and welded up a stand.  I purchased a 3/4″ bolt and neoprene rubber disc at my local Army Surplus store.  I welded the bolt vertically to the top and then slide the rubber donut over the bolt.  The rubber helps protect the rims from getting scratched up as I rotate the wheel on the stand.  These two items were less than $5 at the Army Surplus store.  What a wonderful place!  My next build will have a lot more parts resourced from here.

I also purchased a proper tire spoon set for around $16 plus a bead buddy for another $16.  I was super impressed and surprised by how easily I was able to now mount a tire and tube by myself!  This is a great addition and will definitely be coming with me to all my races in the event I need to do a tube or tire change.