Tyre Levers

platypus · 24 May 2010 at 16:10

I'm after some decent tyre levers. I have the Park plastic 3-set, but it's crap. Any recommendations?

oddjob62 · 24 May 2010 at 16:15

platypus said:
I'm after some decent tyre levers. I have the Park plastic 3-set, but it's crap. Any recommendations?

Really? I use them all the time (actaully i only use 2), never had any problem with them.

"andy" · 24 May 2010 at 16:17

whats crap about them ? surely a tyre lever is a tyre lever ? i use some crappy tesco ones when i need them. try lubing them if your tyre/rim combo is a particularly tight fit

touch · 24 May 2010 at 16:17

I have these:

Made by "bike hand". Not great to carry around with you as they are about 3 times the length of normal levers, but great for use at home.

platypus · 24 May 2010 at 16:19

oddjob62 said:
Really? I use them all the time (actaully i only use 2), never had any problem with them.

Coo, I managed to snap one recently

.

Hmm, I forgot to add they need to fit in my saddle bag, which is pretty small.

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 May 2010 at 16:19

I've got some yellow Pedros ones that are ok. Can't say I've ever compared them to other brands though.

6thElement · 24 May 2010 at 16:27

Yellow Pedros ones are fantastic, I've bent or snapped most other plastic levers getting wire bead DH tyres mounted. But never had a problem with Pedros, but they are chunky compared to others. Most folding bead XC and road tyres I can get on and off without levers so I only carry a single thin lever in case I need it.

andi · 24 May 2010 at 16:31

Pedros here too.

platypus · 24 May 2010 at 16:36

These ones?

6thElement said:
Yellow Pedros ones are fantastic, I've bent or snapped most other plastic levers getting wire bead DH tyres mounted. But never had a problem with Pedros, but they are chunky compared to others. Most folding bead XC and road tyres I can get on and off without levers so I only carry a single thin lever in case I need it.

Hmm I wonder if I had a tyre one size too small then, as I've always struggled getting tyres on to my around town road bike.

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 May 2010 at 16:39

platypus said:
These ones?

Hmm I wonder if I had a tyre one size too small then, as I've always struggled getting tyres on to my around town road bike.

Nope these.

Actually available in a variety of colours.

6thElement · 24 May 2010 at 16:42

^^ Yep those that DOD-Asp posted.

Getting tyres on or off is technique and manufacturing tolerance related

platypus · 24 May 2010 at 16:53

Oooh they might be nice in pink

. How long are they?

petriodet · 24 May 2010 at 16:59

i use the park ones and they a stronger then most other i have used.
also be careful with metal ones it's easy to scratch you rims.

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 May 2010 at 17:10

platypus said:
Oooh they might be nice in pink . How long are they?

'bout three inches, I think.

freebooter · 24 May 2010 at 23:17

These are very strong and normal sized so they are easy to pack but are a bit heavy.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14884

MikeHunt79 · 24 May 2010 at 23:23

I've used teaspoons in the past, but I normally find plastic tyre levers are find for 90% of bike tyres...

If you have some funny tyres, then try and pick up some motorbike wheel tyres levers, they're metal and huge, so should work if you've got a difficult tyre.

Hamster · 24 May 2010 at 23:39

MikeHunt79 said:
I've used teaspoons in the past

You've just taken me back to my childhood when we didn't know what tyre levers were and regularly got a rollocking from our mums for bending tablespoons!!

platypus · 4 Jun 2010 at 16:46

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLY3HfTq3E seems effective enough!

londonbairn · 4 Jun 2010 at 16:48

I have a lot of Pry Babies by Spesh. Depends on the tyre really. My Pro3s I can use my thumbs easily, though on the commuter, I find the GPs a bit tougher. A combination of pulling the tyre off and sliding the lever in I find works fine even in tough situations.

platypus · 7 Jun 2010 at 11:32

rafster said:
I have a lot of Pry Babies by Spesh. Depends on the tyre really. My Pro3s I can use my thumbs easily, though on the commuter,

Put my Pro3s on this weekend, you must have stronger thumbs than I

.

Might get a crank brothers speed lever, heard/seen good things about it.