MXA PRODUCT TEST: PIT POSSE TIRE CHANGING STAND: Stand Like A Man When You Change A Tire Instead Of Groveling In The Dirt

On Dec 13, 2009

MXA PRODUCT TEST:
PIT POSSE TIRE CHANGING STAND

WHAT IS IT? The Pit Posse Tire Changing Stand is designed to make leveraging a tire onto a wheel easier. More importantly, it helps protect the rotor, spokes and rims from damage, all the while keeping the tube and internal parts clean during installation.

WHAT’S IT COST? $109.95.

CONTACT? www.pitposse.com or (866) 447-6773.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Pit Posse Tire Changing Stand.

(1) Assembly. The Pit Posse’s tire changer takes about five minutes to put together the first time and only requires one tool (an Allen wrench that’s included). The stand can be taken apart or condensed in a few different ways, making it relatively easy to take to the track if need be.

(2) Adjustment. The stand is quickly adjustable without tools from 28 inches to 36 inches high via a screw-in clamp. The stand will accommodate ten- to 21-inch rims and includes an adapter for small, mini bike-sized rims.

(3) Center pin. Helping hold the wheel in place is a pin in the center of the stand. A thread-on clamp is included and firmly locks the wheel in place. Our testers thought that the pin alone provided enough stability. Clamping the wheel down is overkill and takes more time. The height of the pin in the center can also be quickly adjusted or the pin can be removed completely.

(4) Fit and finish. The top ring of the stand holds the wheel by the spokes and is rubber-coated to prevent scratching. The blue powder-coated finish looks good and does a decent job of resisting scuffs and dings. On the downside, the plastic plugs on the sides of the feet fall out. We recommend taking a few minutes to apply some silicone seal before they’re all lost.

(5) Stability. The base of the stand is moderately wide and provides adequate stability without being cumbersome. The feet of the base have sandpaper-like traction pads and make it easy for the user to hold the stand down by stepping on it. The feet also have pre-drilled bolt holes so the stand can be affixed to a larger base (plywood, for example) or to a shop floor.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? The Pit Posse Tire Changing Stand could be improved with a couple small additions. (1) Some tire changing testers wanted locking pins that would prevent the stand and wheel from spinning. This would add a little extra stability for tire prying and allow you to spin the partially mounted tire on the wheel to align the valve stem. (2) A couple more inches of height adjustment would make six-foot-two tire changers a little more comfortable.

Once you’ve changed a set of tires on a purpose-built stand like Pit Posse’s, you won’t want to go back to a five-gallon bucket or a tailgate.