rommer25

For several years, I have been using metal tire levers. I got a set of aero wheels for my Fuji Absolute a couple of months ago; they are very deep rims that came off a Roubaix. While I was changing to my winter tires, Continental Touring Plus 37mm, I had to use new tubes. To get the 28 slicks off, I punctured both tubes. Can anyone recommend a tire lever that is less likely to cut the tube (or was I doing something wrong)? I have no problem mounting the. I carry an extra tube but still worry about having to walk to a bike shop. I have about 1200 miles on these Continentals and only have had one flat, an office staple, likely from my own office that worked its way in over time. I am planning on not getting a flat but you never know.

Jicafold

The best tire lever is the one from Pedro's. Amazing leverage and a smooth tip so it won't cut. Not very portable to take with you though.

https://pedros.com/products/tools/whe...ll-tire-lever/

Thier portable levers I have not used but they do look thicker than most. I've broken the tip off a few of the ones I have used.

https://pedros.com/products/tools/whe...e/tire-levers/

Andrew R Stewart 

This is almost like the "best chain lube" one. We all have our methods and preferences. I still like Kool Stop Sports for common tube tires. My steel Park and brooks are in reserve. Andy.

fietsbob

in the touring kit, I like VAR, they use a tire jack portion to help get tight tires On

I like to use 3 levers to get them off I still have the ones Michelin included when they introduced the HiLite tires..


As usual 'best' is a matter of Opinion.

JanMM

Someone (not me!) will probably chime in and say "I don't need no stinkin' tire levers - just my fingers!"

HillRider

The best tire levers I've used were Specialized's "Pry Babies". They were thin, hooked the beads well and didn't puncture tubes. Unfortunately they were a bit fragile and didn't handle very tight tires too well. Also unfortunately, Specialized no longer sells them. Second choice is the current Park plastic levers. I've tried the "Quik Stik" and Var tire jack with mixed and mediocre results.

dsaul

The yellow plastic Pedros levers are the best levers I've ever used. Much stronger than any of the others and still small enough to carry with you.

easyupbug 

I dislike these wide flat blade levers. I have arthritis in my hands and if you add these new "tubeless ready" clincher rims to those levers I might as well dig out my old steel motorcycle levers, I will never get the tire off let alone back on. I like the Park Tool TL-1 design with sexy curves, they do show wear after many changes.

cny-bikeman

You probably were not using the best method to remove them, no matter what levers you were using. Start by pushing the tire beads toward the middle of the rim well, beginning on the opposite side of the wheel from the valve stem, and continue doing so with both hands as you work toward the valve stem. Keep pressure on the tire as you do so. This creates extra slack in the tire by the time you reach the stem. Put a lever under the bead , a few inches from the stem, just enough to hook on it. Insert another a few inches away. If needed, push down on the tire to keep the bead in place over the rim edge, remove one lever and reinsert another few inches away. Do not slide the levers. Once the tire is loose enough continue removal with your hands.

bikemig 

The park heavy duty tire levers have to be the worst I have ever seen.

I don't know how available they are (or even if they are still manufactured) but the eldi steel tire levers are the best I have ever used.

Eldi Tire Lever (ELDI) - $9.99

2_i 

Of course you can do things with a single universal lever and you can do with fingers only. However, for an average person I recommend a set of 3 plastic levers with hooks such as Kool Stop Tire Levers.

I would further suggest to stay far away from steel levers which not only can damage tubes but also alu rims. Plastic levers are good because they can break. If you sense that you are about to break a lever you are on the wrong track and need to retreat and improve upon prior actions.

With hooks, you can keep one or two levers in position and concentrate on the remainder. I suspect that it would not hurt even to have 4 levers. Since they are cheap, there is no reason to refrain from buying more just in case.

nymtber

I'm happy with the plain blue Park levers that most all bike shops sell - 3 at a time.

They have taken some of the tightest tires off rims, and never broken on me. Easy to hook onto the spoke, as well.

SkyDog75

I like the standard issue Park Tool TL-1 hooked levers. They're strong enough to mount most tires, but not hard enough that you'll gouge your rim with them. When I need a little extra 'oomph' for extremely tight tire/rim combinations, I've got a set of Avenir-branded nylon levers with steel cores that let me use more force and I've been happy with them.

Pukeskywalker

Just make sure you get levers that can attach to the spokes once they are under the tire. Makes tire removal less painful, since you don't have to hold the first lever in place while you reach for the second one (and have it slip out if you're not careful)..

Wanderer

A better mousetrap | Pedal & Spoke Ltd. from the chief mechanic at my LBS

qclabrat

Another +1 for Pedros, broken or bent just about every type
they are not break proof, just sturdier than most (broke a set last month)
I used to like the longer ones for better leverage but they also snap easier
Broke too many trying to install tubeless tires.

Vintage_Cyclist

+1 on the VAR levers. All I've used for over 30 years.

Tough to find these days, unless you order from a UK store or stalk one on Ebay.

fietsbob

Mel Pinto Imports Distributes VAR tools in the US .. have your LBS Open an account with them.

noglider 

I've broken the Pedro's plastic levers!

bikeman715

I have broken both Pedro's and Park's levers in my day .

dynaryder

Another +1 for Pedros;I've only ever broken one of them. I've gone through two sets of the skinny levers(one Park,one Performance). For anything they won't do,I pull out the KoolStop bead jack:

lennyk

Keeping bead in rim center helps a lot

RoadTire 

We use Pedros - have broken a couple other brands w/o too much effort. The Crankbro's mentioned are good also, but I wouldn't want to carry 2 or 3 in my seat bag. On really crabby tires, like those 12 and 18 inch kids bikes, I will use 3.

rommer25

Hi again:

Maybe I should not have said they were Cont. Touring Plus tires. My problem is getting the tire off without puncturing the tube. I have had no issues with getting them on. It looks like most of the opinions go to Pedro's. If no one else has a better option, I'll get three of them and hope I will not have to use them in the field. Thanks, TM.

Drew Eckhardt 

Make more slack so you can use your bare hands.

Use thinner rim tape - two wraps of 1 mil Kapton tape total about .005" versus .020" for Velox.

Start installation 180 degrees opposite from the valve stem and removal at it so the bead can reach the shallow center of the rim bed when the tire is tightest.