I want to change my own tires

Have you watched your tires taken from the wheel and the new one put back on? Tire shops have expensive equipment to be able apply the force needed. Unlike bicycle tires, you need more than a screwdriver to do it.

This will show you

It's not that simple, but you can do it if absolutely necessary. I've done it with motorcycle tires using the zip tie method. It is very possible to damage the sidewall bead though. For balancing you could use dynamic beads or a bubble balancer. Harbor Freight has a tire changer but it's debatable how easy it is to use and how long it will last.

Tire irons (spoons)

Another way is sort of a inflatable band around the circumference of the tire that will tend to spread the sidewalls out. It depends a lot of the tire characteristics. Even with tube-type Kendas getting the bead to seat can be a PITA while other brands are no problem.

If you can back the brakes off so there's very little drag you can sort of balance a tire on one of the non-driven hubs. I don't bother with the bike since I run DOT knobbies and balance is a moot point.

Hi badgolferman,

I just picked up two free SUV tires from Amazon Vine & along with the free tire irons, tire valves, wheel weights, etc., I mounted & balanced them.

IMHO, it's simple but without the right tools, it's nearly impossible.

You need, at the very least three fundamentally different tools.

1. Bead breaker
2. Tire mounter
3. Wheel balancer

I have the crappy tools from Harbor Freight. They work. But they stink.

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   I have those tools but the bead breaker looks like this instead:
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   It looks like HF doesn't sell that particular style anymore.
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   If anyone wants pictures of today's mounting & balancing, let me know. Pretty much everything but the compressor I get for free on Amazon Vine.