Bead buddy for bicycle tire installation

thingiverse

I recently stumbled upon a Facebook post from a bike mechanics' forum discussing the Motion Pro Trail Bead Buddy, a motorcycle tool designed to secure tire beads in place during installations. The post highlighted its effectiveness with Cush Core tire inserts but noted that it could be beneficial for various challenging tire installations. Similar to my recent 3D printed clone of the Stan's NoTubes presta valve nut loosening tool, I thought "I bet I can 3D print this too." To bring this idea to life, I used Fusion 360 and went through a few iterations until finding a design that fit snugly on several wheels at my disposal. Notably, it made installing tires with tight fits much easier. Although the printed part has an uneven surface finish, which is an ongoing issue with my printer, it still functions well. The knurled nut used in this design is a McMaster 92545a183, imported through Fusion, and prints smoothly, fitting perfectly into place. This tool also pairs nicely with my Park TL-4 clone tire lever. For those interested in experimenting with different designs or configurations, I have included the F3D file for import. Alternatively, you can access my online Fusion 360 model at a360.co/2Phr1Se for more options and customization possibilities.