Sturdy tyre levers

girlymonkey
girlymonkey Posts: 3
edited May 2015 in Road buying advice
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 :-)

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    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.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    Velox cloth rim tape is thicker than the majority. You'd be much better off using a tubeless rim tape instead.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    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........
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • 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
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    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.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • scarthie99
    scarthie99 Posts: 209
    try this one
    EMT Pro MTB
    Lever specialized :roll:
  • DKay
    DKay Posts: 1,652
    I like the orange Conti levers.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    DKay wrote:
    I like the orange Conti levers.

    I like Terry's Chocolate Oranges.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    I like the Tacx orange levers, other colours are available.
  • These from Decathlon are virtually indestructible (and I've tried a few others!)

    IMG_1204_LR_400.jpg
  • Bordersroadie
    Bordersroadie Posts: 1,052
    Park blue plastic ones. Bomber.
  • ayjaycee
    ayjaycee Posts: 1,277
    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/
    Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
    Kinesis Racelight 4S
    Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
    Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)
  • bikes`n`guns
    bikes`n`guns Posts: 959
    Bontrager Red ones. Best I`ve ever used.
    Trek,,,, too cool for school ,, apparently
  • ascurrell
    ascurrell Posts: 1,739
    scarthie99 wrote:
    try this one
    EMT Pro MTB
    Lever specialized :roll:

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