Sturdy tyre levers

girlymonkey

So I have always been a MTBer, but recently turned to the dark side and I am using a skinny bike at times too. On the MTB, I have never bothered with tyre levers, however I knew that roadie tyres are stiffer so have been carrying tyre levers on it. Today I actually needed them, and they were worse than useless. I eventually managed to borrow some park tools ones, which did the job, but I did mangle one putting the tyre back on. So, it seems I have a VERY tight tyre/rim combo - what tyre levers do you folks swear by to get you riding again quickly?
Thanks for your help :-)

Monty Dog

Park are pretty strong but tricky to get into a narrow gap. Some people like Crank Brother Speed Lever. IME it's as much about technique than brute force. If you have thick, hard plastic rim tape, swap for self-adhesive Velox cloth tape.

DKay

Velox cloth rim tape is thicker than the majority. You'd be much better off using a tubeless rim tape instead.

Matthewfalle

The kind of tyres you are using also makes a vast difference - Michelin Pro Races come off/on with fingers only, those God awful Continentals that come as OE from the customer serviceless people at Planet X will defy Superman and any lever known to man........

girlymonkey

yes, the bike was a 'Pendleton' from Halfords, basically for a bit of roadie riding but more commuting. The tyres will be rubbish on it, it is a low end bike! However, I can't spend money on new tyres at the moment, so much more inclined to upgrade the tyre levers instead!
Will have a look at the crank brothers ones, any other suggestions?

Matthewfalle

girlymonkey wrote:

yes, the bike was a 'Pendleton' from Halfords, basically for a bit of roadie riding but more commuting. The tyres will be rubbish on it, it is a low end bike! However, I can't spend money on new tyres at the moment, so much more inclined to upgrade the tyre levers instead!
Will have a look at the crank brothers ones, any other suggestions?

Park as above. Pedros get good reviews as well.

scarthie99

try this one
EMT Pro MTB
Lever specialized :roll:

DKay

I like the orange Conti levers.

Matthewfalle

DKay wrote:

I like the orange Conti levers.

I like Terry's Chocolate Oranges.

dj58

I like the Tacx orange levers, other colours are available.

Guernsey Donkey

These from Decathlon are virtually indestructible (and I've tried a few others!)

Bordersroadie

Park blue plastic ones. Bomber.

ayjaycee

I've got three of the black plastic Campagnolo ones but I have only ever had to use two at a time and that's on Continental GP 4 Seasons which are thought by some to be particularly difficult. I've had them a while now and I seem to recall paying £5 for the three which is a lot less than the current price. They might seem expensive but I reckon that you would have to try very hard before one broke (or even bent) and they do seem to be kind to the rims:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-tyre-lever/

bikes`n`guns

Bontrager Red ones. Best I`ve ever used.

ascurrell

scarthie99 wrote:

try this one
EMT Pro MTB
Lever specialized :roll:

plus one for these
http://www.rutlandcycling.com/102947/pr ... wgodpY8AIw