thanks, i tried all that stuff. plastic levers just bend and theres not enough leverage and the speed lever just wouldn't budge when i got to the hard part.. maybe it is the tire/rim combo.i have fulcrum 5 rims. my thumbs would have to be the size of my forearms to get the bead over the edge of the rim. the steel levers are too long to carry in my pack. i definitely need something steel and of good length to get some leverage. maybe some practice. i came home and worked on that tire for awhile, it was insane, i'm surprised i didn't have any snake bites on the tube when i was done. that was tough. maybe i'll just go with the tires that go flat easy, this way i can just change them fast like the nascar guys. it's not worth the effort, IF you do get a flat, you're toast.