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Old 03-09-22, 09:09 AM
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Andrew R Stewart 
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The common/classic steel tire lever (Brooks made an iconic version) can mar an Al rim. I would not call the minor signs of use "scratches" as there's no real depth to the marks.

Al tire levers leave less mars but their ends can be thin enough to suffer from bending on really tight tire/rim combos.

Plastic levers are nicer to the rim's cosmetics and slipperier against the rim and tire. But their ends need to be thicker and that can be a fit challenge sometimes. The Quick Stick is, IMO, the worst in this aspect. Some plastics can snap and others will flex too much on really tight tire/rims.

Having said all that my go to is the Kool Stop Sports. Nice seat pack size, Lightweight and no mars. Stiff enough to work (although carry 3 as they do break) and a good shape to both the bead end and the spoke end.

Tire levers are one of those products that companies think they need to somehow create a unique product and in doing so often end up with less effectiveness at a higher cost. Andy
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