Tire levers that actually work?
05-22-23, 11:06 AM
#26
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You should not need tire levers to mount a tire -- they are for getting a tire off a rim.
The proper technique is more easily shown than described, so I recommend youtube videos. Also read up on tips and tricks, such as (1) start installing a tight tire bead 180 degrees from the valve hole, and finish at the valve hole, (2) make sure you are pushing the bead into the rim's center channel as you mount it, (3) leave especially tight tires out in the hot sun for a few hours before mounting, etc. Most important is the actual technique - how you push the beads up and over the rim. Best to watch a good videol
If you are using 'best practice' to mount the tires and still can't get them on the rims, then get different tires. Sometimes I'll even have one tire out of a batch that won't mount, so it gets returned or tossed.
For removing tough tires, I like these.
PS: if you are interested in @GhostRider62 's recommendation, note that there is no company called "Lyzene." He is referring to Lezyne. Though I would recommend against metal tire levers; which would you prefer to break first -- the tire lever, or the rim's sidewall?
The proper technique is more easily shown than described, so I recommend youtube videos. Also read up on tips and tricks, such as (1) start installing a tight tire bead 180 degrees from the valve hole, and finish at the valve hole, (2) make sure you are pushing the bead into the rim's center channel as you mount it, (3) leave especially tight tires out in the hot sun for a few hours before mounting, etc. Most important is the actual technique - how you push the beads up and over the rim. Best to watch a good videol
If you are using 'best practice' to mount the tires and still can't get them on the rims, then get different tires. Sometimes I'll even have one tire out of a batch that won't mount, so it gets returned or tossed.
For removing tough tires, I like these.
PS: if you are interested in @GhostRider62 's recommendation, note that there is no company called "Lyzene." He is referring to Lezyne. Though I would recommend against metal tire levers; which would you prefer to break first -- the tire lever, or the rim's sidewall?
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05-22-23, 11:17 AM
#27
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As a 74 year old with heart issues I found I can't change a tire on the fly anymore. Tire irons are a thing of the past for me. Just don't have the strength in my hands to do the work. I've tried the Kool Stop bead jack and it does work. But, it's a shop tool only not for in the field. And when was the last time you flatted in your shop? A couple of years ago I saw a y-tube video on a thing called a Tyre Glider out of the UK. I bought one and loved it. Since then I have purchased a few more and even given them to friends. No longer do I fear sitting on the side of the trail waiting to snag some young wippersnapper to help change my tire. Check it out (works on my fancy carbon rims as well as my Alum ones. https://tyreglider.co.uk/?v=7516fd43adaa
05-22-23, 11:30 AM
#28
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Can I revise it to "90% of the time it's Contis"?
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05-22-23, 12:21 PM
#29
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To break the bead I use a Duunarri Crankbrothers Speedier Lever that cost me $5.50 on Amazon with free shipping. I use it in combination with a couple of regular plastic tire levers to keep the tire bead off the rim as I remove the tire. Works equally well to get the bead back on the rim.
05-22-23, 03:26 PM
#30
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If you heat the tire even on the hot sun, it is almost manageable with a Kool Stop and I do not care how strong someone is or how smart they think their technique is, some brands of rims and Conti do not play well. Period. I know how to put a tire on.
https://www.sigmetrix.com/tolerance-stack-up/
(I also know something about design. Tires and rim Mfgs are out of control,)
05-22-23, 04:17 PM
#31
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I have been using this for years. It is easy to carry in a bag. It has gone up quite a bit since I purchased mine decades ago.
https://www.amazon.com/Var-Nylon-Tyr.../dp/B091D278G5
https://www.amazon.com/Var-Nylon-Tyr.../dp/B091D278G5
05-22-23, 06:01 PM
#32
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I'm in need of some tire levers that actually work. i broke all three struggling to get a really tight tire onto a rim today. still not on, fortunately i had an extra wheel (front) that allows me to ride. riding is supposed to reduce stress, not cause it.
any recommendations? i actually found some metal ones from park tools. wonder how they leave the rim.
one trouble i have is that i only have two hands, i know, bum luck. it is hard getting the tire on with only two hands, one side of the tire always seems to come off while working on the opposite side.
any recommendations? i actually found some metal ones from park tools. wonder how they leave the rim.
one trouble i have is that i only have two hands, i know, bum luck. it is hard getting the tire on with only two hands, one side of the tire always seems to come off while working on the opposite side.
https://www.parktool.com/en-us/produ...ver-set-tl-1-2
Never failed me so far. Used them for mountain bike tires and one road bike tire. If you have a "foldable" mountain bike tire, you can usually put those on with hands only, with inner tube slightly inflated. If not foldable, seat one side of tire bead in rim, insert deflated inner tube. Anchor your first tire lever, use the "hook" end of the second tire lever to seat the majority of the second side of the tire bead. Anchor second tire lever just enough so that the first one doesn't pop out. With 3rd tire lever, place at middle (or slightly closer to 2nd tire lever) of remaining unseated portion of tire bead and pry onto frame. The deflated inner tube helps to prevent unwanted damaged to you inner tube.
05-22-23, 07:13 PM
#33
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If your thumbs are sore, you're not doing it right.
Should be using the heels of your palms mostly. I'll try to describe it, but a good mechanic can show you in a moment's time.
As I wrote earlier, start opposite the valve hole, and make sure you are pushing the tire beads into the center channel as you go -- this is crucial, as it gives you more slack. As you get to the last few inches, right around the valve hole, put THAT section of the wheel AWAY from your body, holding the wheel almost perpendicular to your gut. IOW, you're holding the wheel like you're delivering a very large pizza, with the valve hole jammed into your belly button and your arms stretched out in front of you, palms resting on the opposite sides of the unmounted section of tire. THEN use your PALMS to push the last section of tire up and over the rim's edge...You will almost be 'rolling' your palms (really, the heels of your palms, the meaty part, mostly) on the tire bead to massage and push it up and over the rim's sidewall. As each section gets pushed more up and over the rim's edge, your hands are getting closer together until the last bit pops on. Again, you're mostly using the heels of your palms, which means that you get extra traction and protection from your cycling gloves (assuming you are wearing them).
Using your thumbs severely limits your leverage, and makes your success a function of hand strength -- hence GhostRider62 's comment about not having enough hand strength. But if that is your limiting factor, you're doing it wrong. With the right technique, you're using your arms and upper body to mount the tire.
Should be using the heels of your palms mostly. I'll try to describe it, but a good mechanic can show you in a moment's time.
As I wrote earlier, start opposite the valve hole, and make sure you are pushing the tire beads into the center channel as you go -- this is crucial, as it gives you more slack. As you get to the last few inches, right around the valve hole, put THAT section of the wheel AWAY from your body, holding the wheel almost perpendicular to your gut. IOW, you're holding the wheel like you're delivering a very large pizza, with the valve hole jammed into your belly button and your arms stretched out in front of you, palms resting on the opposite sides of the unmounted section of tire. THEN use your PALMS to push the last section of tire up and over the rim's edge...You will almost be 'rolling' your palms (really, the heels of your palms, the meaty part, mostly) on the tire bead to massage and push it up and over the rim's sidewall. As each section gets pushed more up and over the rim's edge, your hands are getting closer together until the last bit pops on. Again, you're mostly using the heels of your palms, which means that you get extra traction and protection from your cycling gloves (assuming you are wearing them).
Using your thumbs severely limits your leverage, and makes your success a function of hand strength -- hence GhostRider62 's comment about not having enough hand strength. But if that is your limiting factor, you're doing it wrong. With the right technique, you're using your arms and upper body to mount the tire.
05-22-23, 07:58 PM
#34
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Could be! I recently returned a tire that I simply could not mount… Even though I had mounted several other tires from the same batch.
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05-23-23, 05:51 PM
#36
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Never say never is a lesson I learned long ago. Some tires do require a tool to install. I have removed and installed thousands of tires over my years in the biz and found that when properly used a tire lever is not a hazard when installing a tire. It is a learned technique thus I will not go into it here. The worse tire install issues I ever had were Mavic X238 26" rims mated to Conti Goliath tires. Damned near impossible.
I use the Park tire levers as they seem to work very well for me. Never ever use them in a high leverage situation as they will snap. Had to teach that to the rookie wrenches over the years. In the shop I used a single set of Park tire levers for about 10 years before a rookie got hold of them on my day off and destroyed every one.
I use the Park tire levers as they seem to work very well for me. Never ever use them in a high leverage situation as they will snap. Had to teach that to the rookie wrenches over the years. In the shop I used a single set of Park tire levers for about 10 years before a rookie got hold of them on my day off and destroyed every one.
05-23-23, 06:08 PM
#37
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To the OP,
Instead of new tire irons, check out the Park Tool video on YouTube on mounting stubborn tires. Yes, today's tires are tight and all of us have had our experiences with tight tires but the tips in that video will really help.
One thing that I do over and above the tips in that video is lay the tire in the sun for a few minutes to warm up then carefully stretch it by standing on the tire and pulling with my hands. Rotate the tire and repeat, then mount the tire. Be very careful if the tire has a steel bead though, you don't want to kink the bead.
Old toe straps can help also and act as a "3rd hand" by strapping the bead in place and then work with both hands to push the bead onto the rim working toward the strap.
Instead of new tire irons, check out the Park Tool video on YouTube on mounting stubborn tires. Yes, today's tires are tight and all of us have had our experiences with tight tires but the tips in that video will really help.
One thing that I do over and above the tips in that video is lay the tire in the sun for a few minutes to warm up then carefully stretch it by standing on the tire and pulling with my hands. Rotate the tire and repeat, then mount the tire. Be very careful if the tire has a steel bead though, you don't want to kink the bead.
Old toe straps can help also and act as a "3rd hand" by strapping the bead in place and then work with both hands to push the bead onto the rim working toward the strap.
05-23-23, 09:57 PM
#39
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IT can also vary by tire size using the same brand/model of tire. I've never been able to mount Vittoria Randonneur 28's on one of my bike's rims, but the 35's go on nice and easy.
05-23-23, 10:03 PM
#40
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05-24-23, 12:31 AM
#41
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If it hasn’t been mentioned, there is more to easily removing and mounting tires than good levers. Pushing the bead you are trying to remove to the center of the rim opposite to where you are using the lever will add a little slack and make your tire lever easier to use.
05-24-23, 12:48 AM
#42
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its important to be able to do this out in the wild so waiting a few hours to warm up a tire is not an option. friday's flat was less than a mile from work so a short walk and my office to get things done. i'm finding that my hands are just not up to the task, especially thumbs, all red and screaming in pain. most videos i've watched (only 3 really) all seem to cut away while the tire is being put on which makes me think that they are struggling as well.
guess practice makes perfect, i can try again with the wheel i have at home while i ride the spare.
guess practice makes perfect, i can try again with the wheel i have at home while i ride the spare.
Also y'all are being really pedantic saying never use tire levers to mount to tire. Its hard dude, and if youre careful it should be fine...
05-24-23, 06:40 AM
#43
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I’m not gonna let pride and some arbitrary rule make more work for me. If I need to use a tire lever to get the bead on, I’ll use a tire lever to get the bead on. Some tire-rim combos require that or hands of steel.
That said, if a plastic tire lever can’t do it, I’d consider returning the tire.
That said, if a plastic tire lever can’t do it, I’d consider returning the tire.
05-24-23, 07:36 AM
#45
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No one said it was easy. When I started in the shop fixing flats, I, too, had red and blistered hands and thumbs for weeks. But over time, doing 10 or 20 flats a day, you develop the skills necessary to forgo tire levers.
I suspect most folks here just haven't had the opportunities to develop those skills/techniques. Which is actually probably a good thing.
Until I had to give a demonstration to the Cub Scouts on how to repair a flat, I didn't even own tire levers. Again, modern tubeless tires excepted. Glad I don't have to deal with those.
I suspect most folks here just haven't had the opportunities to develop those skills/techniques. Which is actually probably a good thing.
Until I had to give a demonstration to the Cub Scouts on how to repair a flat, I didn't even own tire levers. Again, modern tubeless tires excepted. Glad I don't have to deal with those.
05-24-23, 12:18 PM
#46
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I can do Vittoria tires by hand, however.
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05-24-23, 12:20 PM
#47
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05-24-23, 01:20 PM
#48
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I have one rim which I am riding with a Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Replacing this tire has given me lots of grief in the past years. I have broken several Pedro's tire levers to get that Schwalbe of that rim. Fortunately I only have to do that every other year or so. But I am also looking for other options. I wanted to try the Park tool metal levers and see if they are any sturdier.
I don't have any issues with any of my other bikes. It is just this one rim in combination with that Schwalbe tire.
I don't have any issues with any of my other bikes. It is just this one rim in combination with that Schwalbe tire.
05-24-23, 03:15 PM
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1. tire jack.
2. if you even can't get the first bead to go on, then you can try the following: put the entire wheel inside the tire:
Now you can use tire jack on both sides, to get both beads onto the wheel.
2. if you even can't get the first bead to go on, then you can try the following: put the entire wheel inside the tire:
Now you can use tire jack on both sides, to get both beads onto the wheel.