Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What’s your number one tire lever?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What’s your number one tire lever?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-01-17, 03:23 PM
  #1  
Bikewolf
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 476
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 139 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times in 24 Posts
What’s your number one tire lever?

Flat tire. Now, which tire lever tool do you dare give a name, so to speak ;-)
What works for you, or doesn’t?
Bikewolf is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:28 PM
  #2  
mcours2006
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times in 235 Posts
The cheap plastic ones that snap on to each other for easy storage. No name.
mcours2006 is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:32 PM
  #3  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Schwalbe
acidfast7 is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:34 PM
  #4  
rfmarotti
Senior Member
 
rfmarotti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 526

Bikes: 2015 Redline Conquest Elite; 2014 Fuji Tahoe 1.1 27.5er; 2006 Scott Speedster S30 (sold); 2001 Specialized S-Works CX; 1990 Trek 750 (sold); 1999 Bianchi Volpe; 1988 Bianchi Campione D'Italia.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The only correct answer is Pedros.
rfmarotti is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:35 PM
  #5  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Park.
caloso is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:44 PM
  #6  
srestrepo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western, MA
Posts: 323

Bikes: 2016 Felt Z85 105, 2016 GT Grade Sora

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Tried and used without failure both a Park and a Pedros.
srestrepo is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:46 PM
  #7  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,712

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5781 Post(s)
Liked 2,578 Times in 1,429 Posts
I still own and use heat treated steel levers that are decades old. The beauty of these older levers is that they have a wide "spoon" so don't nick the tires or tubes, yet being strong means they're also thin, which is a plus when removing tight tires.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is online now  
Old 11-01-17, 03:53 PM
  #8  
mb2112
Senior Member
 
mb2112's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 173

Bikes: Road Bike, Mountain Bike, Commuter Bike, Gravel bike

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Pedros. The thin plastic snap together ones work fine on my commuter bike, but can't handle the GP4000's on my road bike or tubeless mtn bike tires.
mb2112 is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 03:56 PM
  #9  
RubeRad
Keepin it Wheel
 
RubeRad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245

Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,431 Times in 2,538 Posts
Originally Posted by rfmarotti
The only correct answer is Pedros.
+1

Although I have actually managed to break not one, but two Pedro's levers, but I still trust their chunky solid plastic more than the cheap ones.

I recently picked up a Crank Bros Speedier lever, and I like that it has knuckle protection, and dedicated and labeled removal and installation ends. Here's a vid:

RubeRad is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 06:23 PM
  #10  
DiabloScott
It's MY mountain
 
DiabloScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002

Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,980 Times in 1,617 Posts
I have an old steel one I keep with my spare sew-up; but all my other bikes have Pedro's, and I have a couple extra sets of Pedro's in my drawer.
DiabloScott is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 06:36 PM
  #11  
ThermionicScott 
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times in 1,579 Posts
Only one set of tires I ride (Suomi Mount & Ground) ever needs a tire lever to remove, and so the PDW 3Wrencho comes along with that bike.

I would not use a tire and rim combination I could not mount by hand.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498

Last edited by ThermionicScott; 11-03-17 at 11:26 AM.
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 06:43 PM
  #12  
1nterceptor
LET'S ROLL
 
1nterceptor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NEW YORK, NY - USA
Posts: 4,782

Bikes: 2014 BMC Gran Fondo, 2013 Brompton S6L-X

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 306 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 33 Posts
Like these levers, but still prefer glue type patches:
1nterceptor is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 06:48 PM
  #13  
Gresp15C
Senior Member
 
Gresp15C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times in 421 Posts
Originally Posted by RubeRad
I recently picked up a Crank Bros Speedier lever, and I like that it has knuckle protection, and dedicated and labeled removal and installation ends. Here's a vid:
Have you tried it on a super tight tire? I've got one on my new single-speed that presently requires carrying a bead jack in my bag, it's that tight. I wonder how the Speedier lever would do.
Gresp15C is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 07:25 PM
  #14  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times in 1,679 Posts
Originally Posted by rfmarotti
The only correct answer is Pedros.
i had a set of pedros milk levers for years. use park ones now. love to have those old milk levers again.
52telecaster is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 09:53 PM
  #15  
Kedosto
Callipygian Connoisseur
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 564 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times in 190 Posts
Can't recall the brand but they're plastic covered steel. Straight plastics are usually junk just waiting to leave you stranded. Straight steel are too harsh on the finish. Plastic covered steel is juuuuust right.

-Kedosto
Kedosto is offline  
Old 11-01-17, 10:10 PM
  #16  
Nooner
If you brake you dont win
 
Nooner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Inland Empire
Posts: 103

Bikes: Santa Cruz Bronson, Trek Remedy 9.8, Cervelo S3, Kona Big Honzo, Cannondale R500, DiamondBack Apex, one storage unit my wife knows nothing about, and one ball crushing unicycle for kicks

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Speedier lever from Crankbrothers is my go to, a solid product IMO.
Nooner is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 04:04 AM
  #17  
acidfast7
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: England / CPH
Posts: 8,543

Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1053 Post(s)
Liked 41 Times in 36 Posts
Maybe the reason you guys have trouble getting Schwalbe tyres on and off is that you're using the wrong tyre levers ...



proof:

acidfast7 is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 05:10 AM
  #18  
revcp 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,257

Bikes: 2017 Salsa Carbon Mukluk frame built with XT, 2018 Kona Rove NRB build with Sram Apex 1,2008 Salsa El Mariachi, 1986 Centurion Ironman

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 286 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 65 Posts
Originally Posted by rfmarotti
the only correct answer is pedros.
+1
revcp is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 08:00 AM
  #19  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,903

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,932 Times in 1,213 Posts
Parks or Pedros. Whatever is in that bike's tool pouch.
pdlamb is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 08:09 AM
  #20  
cyccommute 
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times in 2,365 Posts
Originally Posted by rfmarotti
The only correct answer is Pedros.
Yup. They can break but they are dirt cheap.

For tires that are really hard to mount, the VAR tire lever is really good. Unfortunately, it's not as good at getting tires off as other levers.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!




Last edited by cyccommute; 11-02-17 at 08:13 AM.
cyccommute is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 08:16 AM
  #21  
cyccommute 
Mad bike riding scientist
 
cyccommute's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times in 2,365 Posts
Originally Posted by acidfast7
Maybe the reason you guys have trouble getting Schwalbe tyres on and off is that you're using the wrong tyre levers ...


I can do the same thing with any tire lever. I don't like to since it risks pinching a tube but I can still do it.

But, frankly, I'd prefer using a tire that doesn't require 4 strong people and a 75 foot lever...22 meters for the rest of the world that uses a real measurement system
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!



cyccommute is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 08:41 AM
  #22  
GamblerGORD53
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,482

Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1237 Post(s)
Liked 321 Times in 248 Posts
Metal ones last forever and are narrow for easy use.
They have a spoke hook that helps with the first pry.
GamblerGORD53 is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 08:50 AM
  #23  
bigbenaugust 
always rides with luggage
 
bigbenaugust's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: KIGX
Posts: 2,109

Bikes: 2007 Trek SU100, 2009 Fantom CX, 2012 Fantom Cross Uno, Bakfiets

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 273 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times in 17 Posts
Plastic covered steel. Other than that, I am not picky.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
bigbenaugust is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 09:01 AM
  #24  
ptempel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New Jersry the beautiful Garden State
Posts: 1,920

Bikes: 2007 Ridley Excalibur, 2003 Orbea Orca, 199? Cannondale Headshock MTB hardtail

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 520 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 10 Posts
I've used a Quick Stick, Park plastic and now just use the plastic ones that snap together. I think mine are marked "Trek" but are probably made by many manufacturers. Am curious about the plastic covered metal ones. If anyone knows who makes them, then pass along the info. Anyone use the Park Tool TL-6?



A little pricey at $15 for two, though.
ptempel is offline  
Old 11-02-17, 09:20 AM
  #25  
rhm
multimodal commuter
 
rhm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808

Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...

Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 339 Posts
I have a bunch of old steel ones, and some newer Chinese steel ones, one or two aluminum ones... and I use whatever I find first. I also have plastic ones, and I'll use them if that's what comes to hand, knowing they'll probably break, which will give me an excuse to throw them away.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
rhm is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.