tyre levers

trevtherev
trevtherev Posts: 372
edited September 2010 in Road beginners
Having had a puncture yest morn and spent 1 hr sorting out ...the main problem being I could not get the tyre (ultra gatorskin 23c) back on the wheel....I was wondering is there a substitute for park tyre levers? It's that last bit of tyre, it's murder trying to get on to the wheel, I had cut fingers and burst blisters by the time I got to work...it should not be this difficult :( I realize that you can use metal levers but I presume they will spoil the rim of the wheel...is there a good substitute for the park levers...or must I just grin and bear it!!
has anyone used these are they any good?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Inten ... 360024777/
"Cycling is like a church - many attend, but few understand."
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trevtherev ... 338579801/
www.runningfree.co.uk

Comments

  • Erudin
    Erudin Posts: 136
    The Topeak shuttle levers are good. After watching this video from Spa Cycles homepage I find getting my ultra gatorskins off and on a lot easier.

    YouTube Link: How to fit a Marathon Plus Tyre
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 16,522
    a bit of spit on the rim/bead can help get it over the last bit

    just going a few mm at a time can work where larger efforts fail

    btw it's worth having a pair of mechanics disposable gloves in the saddle bag, gives you a bit of finger protection, especially as the weather gets colder
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Red Devil
    Red Devil Posts: 60
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLY3HfT ... =1&index=3

    Wiggle about £5 looks good aint used as yet though :wink:

    Good reports from others.

    Chris
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    I wouldn't use steel levers anymore, can damage the rims.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    Had exactly the same prob with same tyres. It was about an inch of tyre that wouldnt budge, didnt realise how blisteresd fingers were till next day. In the end I had to put one foot on the wheel and press down reaalllly hard with the lever.

    I've seen a vid on youtube where the guy just rolls the tyre on. I'm guessing these are the fold up type. Thems gonna be on my xmas list thats for sure.
    The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns
    momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.
  • sparkins1972
    sparkins1972 Posts: 252
    I use the Crank Brothers Speed levers and I can't recomend too highly. Needs a bit of practice as it is not a standard lever as such.
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    I've got a couple of sets of these, they're really good.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=28714

    They have a stainless steel core, which has a reinforced plastic outer and tip. They don't bend, don't damage rims and I've had no problems with the most stuborn of tyres.

    If anyone finds a set on the Penhyd trail at Afan, they're mine.......... the second set I've lost there !!!!
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,586
    hand-grip-exerciser.jpg
    _
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    lol even my mate who does kung fu and kick boxing couldn't put on new tyres onto a rim, needs two people.

    Taking off though is not too bad, although saying that my tourer rear wheel is a right pig, can't understand it. Taking off the tyre is really really difficult. Wonder if he used a 650 rim? :?
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    It's about the technique, not the levers.
    I use Park levers at work, every day and they are more than than perfect for any job.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    I agree, but one of mine is a pig, normally just zips around in 10 seconds, but not that one.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • trevtherev
    trevtherev Posts: 372
    I think i will have to perfect my technique.........the video on Spa cycles at hartlepool looks a great way to put on and off a tyre and without the use of levers
    "Cycling is like a church - many attend, but few understand."
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/trevtherev ... 338579801/
    www.runningfree.co.uk

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