Are you looking to replace or upgrade your dirt bike's tyres? If you are, this needn't mean you have to head to the nearest tyre fitter. 24MX has everything you need to do the job, from a spoke wrench to a motorcycle tyre machine. Changing a tyre can be challenging. So, it's essential to have the right tools for the job. Also, you should consider the type of tyres your dirt bike has. Most motocross, enduro and off-road bikes have tyres with inner tubes. Alternatively, mid-large capacity adventure bikes have adapted, spoked tubeless tyres. Both tyre types require slightly different tyre tools. At 24MX, you'll find the best kit for changing motorcycle tyres. As there's a lot to choose from, let's look at the different tyre and rim tools for the job.
Whether building a wheel or servicing an existing wheel, you'll need a spoke wrench. This tool fits around the spoke nipple and allows you to tighten or loosen the spoke's tension. Spokes are available in different sizes, so most spoke wrenches have multiple-size heads.
Whatever the tyre type, when removing or replacing by hand, you will need a tire iron. This bar-shaped tool helps to prize the tyre on or off the rim. To do this, you often need three tyre irons. These come in lengths from 240-500mm.
A motorcycle tyre machine is a must-have if you regularly change your tyres. There are two styles of tyre machines. The first has a fixed arm for releasing the tyre bead for removal and keeping the tyre on the rim for replacement. The second has a circulating attachment. This attachment breaks the bead on tubeless tyres. You can also use it to re-fit a tyre without needing tyre irons.
When changing a tyre with an inner tube, first, you need to expel the air. Some people push something small into the valve to depress the nipple. Yet, this can leave air in the tube, making removal from the tyre tricky. A valve screwdriver is a slim tool that removes the inside of the valve entirely, ensuring all the air leaves the tube.
Whether you're re-inflating a tyre or making regular pressure checks, you'll need a tyre pressure gauge. 24MX has a choice of two styles. The first type features a fixed head and a digital readout expressed in either bar or psi. Alternatively, opt for a more traditional tyre pressure gauge with a circular analogue face. This gauge comes with a flexible lead for hard-to-access air valves.
After fitting a new tyre or adjusting the spokes, it's time to rebalance the wheel. A wheel out of balance results in vibration. At best, this is annoying and, at worse, causes the wheel to wobble unsafely.
By allowing the wheel to sit on an axle and rotate freely, a wheel balancer allows you to see where the wheel needs added weights around the rim. Moreover, the (supplied) tool is adjustable to touch the side of the rim, which means you can use it to ensure the rim is straight.