Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/807546
wooden crate that was too nice to throw away. Being somewhat of a bike parts hoarder, I'm sure we'll fi nd a use for it someday...Once uncrated, we spent some me familiarizing ourselves with this interes ng apparatus. It's well made and quite a unique tool. There were no instruc ons in the box so we did a quick Google search to fi nd many YouTube videos on assembly and how to use it most eff ec vely. The TMT4 is quite portable since it folds fl at, easily storing in a race trailer or against a wall out of the way when not in use. With the legs folded out, we began to check out how it works. There are several levers, one to choose rim size. It can handle as small as a 10-inch rim up to a 21-inch. The fi rst order of business was to set the machine for the rim size, a quick fl ick of the rim size lever and the three rim pedestals either contract or expand to accommodate the rim. There are two other levers, both foot-operated. Once the wheel is mounted and readied for re removal, the bead breaker (also adjustable) pedal is pushed down, eff ortlessly breaking the bead. Once the bead is broken, we inserted a couple re irons and quickly popped the bead off the rim. The next order of business is ge ng the other side of the re bead off . This is where the TMT4 really shines. Once the wheel is mounted, it stays there. There's no picking it up and fl ipping it over. With a quick inser on of a locking pin for the bead pusher; a quick stomp on the pedal pops the bead off the backside of the rim. Re-installing the re is just as easy; Insert the bead under the rim lock, insert the valve stem and a few quick strokes of the bead installer and the fi rst half is done. A couple pumps of the bead breaker and a couple strokes of the bead installer to reinstall the opposite bead and you're done. Extremely simple with no wasted energy. Some might s ll say, "Why would I want one?" Yes, rela vely new knobbies can be handled with talented hands and a pair of irons. A er owning the TMT4 for the last few months, we've changed close to a dozen sets of res — some very old vintage knobs on their rims for decades. This is where the TMT4 really earns its money. How many of us vintage bike fana cs have fought with a petrifi ed Metzeler. Just a few solid stomps on the bead breaker/pusher and the old re is in the heap. In short, we really like this funky piece of equipment, and if you fi nd yourself dreading re changing, the TMT4 sure makes a rather unpleasant task quite eff ortless and actually fun! For more info: remoun ngtool.com March/April 2017 17