Rabaconda tyre changer review

If you want to understand what a Rabaconda is and how it can help you, please keep reading my Rabaconda review.

Is changing tyres your absolute nemesis? Something always painful, emotional and one to avoid! That inner fight between wanting to have nice fresh rubber and putting off the dreaded tyre change?

Sounds like me. I pushed tyres until I might as well have been on slicks just to avoid the pain of doing a tyre change. But then I succumbed and got the Rabaconda. Where an earth has this magic tool been all my biking life!

Check out my how How to Change a Bib Mousse Foam Insert Tube – Full Dirt Bike Tire Change Tutorial article for the process!

Is it really that good?

You might be sceptical that this ‘magic’ devise can actually help as much as people say. Just another highly priced gimmick to add to the man cave…. I’ll be honest, I seriously questioned how anything could make something soooo horrific ‘easy’…surely it’s just the pros who can manage in sub 5 minutes!?

Well…I’m no pro…and YES it really is that good! [and I’m not being paid to say it]

Fast forward two afternoons and I’m absolutely converted. I’ll never be without a Rabaconda again. So let’s get into it.

What is a Rabaconda?

In a nutshell it’s a tyre changing tool designed for ergonomic use to minimise the pain and physical requirements of changing a tyre [including mousses] while hugely reduce the time required. The Rabaconda enables bead breaking and huge leverage onto the tyre making it effortless, it even makes rim locks easy.

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The Rabaconda is an absolute garage essential as far as I’m concerned.

It’s madness how having the right tools and following the pros directions [I watched how to videos first – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-nPR8LXG_I] and then practiced…it’s actually totally achievable as a ‘normal’ person.

I challenge you to grab some rubber and give the tyre change race a go!

We can take it from the PROs

The Rabaconda is without a doubt the quickest and easiest way to change your tyre. There is a reason it’s the only tyre change you’ll see on the racing scene. It is race tested by over 80 top riders and factory teams across the globe. Simply search ‘fastest motorcycle tyre change’ on YouTube and I’m confident they’ll all be using a Rabaconda.

But also take it from me…and I’m NO PRO

Get in!! 4 min 22 second ‘axle to axle’ tyre change with mousse and rim lock! That was my best time after an afternoon practicing. See YouTube video here. I did roughly 8 changes to hone my skills, getting my time from well over 18 minutes down to sub 5 minutes. The bit I was really loose the time on is actually the wheel extraction and refit, I kept getting the chain and brake calliper caught. I think I could probably knock another 30 seconds of it I got that smoother.

Get the Rabaconda and get practicing!

How do you get better at changing tyres? You practice! I utilised home lock down to take on the Michelin tyre change challenge and in one afternoon playing with the Rabaconda I got the time down to 4 min 22 sec for an axle to axle change!

Here’s my first afternoon practicing:

I managed to get my time from over 18 minutes to 5 min 27 seconds.

The techy bits

Rabaconda Features

• Rigid and durable construction
• Light weight
• Tyre lever tray at comfortable height
• Strong Cordura 1000D carry-bag for comfortable and compact storage
• Quick-release bolts for fast switching between wheel sizes
• Bead breaker positioning system
• Oval profile lever with good grip
• Premium quality product. Made in EU.

Rabaconda Technical Info

• Suitable for wheel sizes 16-21 inches
• Carry-bag dimensions: 70 x 28 x 25 cm
• Materials: galvanised and powder coated steel, anodised T6061-T6 aluminium
• Working level (wheel height): 50 cm
• Weight (incl. bag): 16.5 kg
• Hub bearings diameter: 20-28 mm

Test Conditions

I was using the Michelin Motorcycles enduro medium tyre with Rabaconda tyre machine and levers from EnduroTyres.com. I also used a Teng Tools ratchet spanner for the rim lock to save time. For more on Rabaconda see https://rabaconda.com/.

Here’s me using the Rabaconda for a 4 minutes 22 second tyre change:

If you’re new to my page – it’s more than just dirt bike riding and racing, I’m on a mission to prove that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. See more about my story plus read about my life changing accident, which started it all.

You can find me Vanessa, The Girl On A Bike over on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, and www.thegirlonabike.com.