I have been spared the ravages of arthritis, but I have had a lot of hand strength, and I find that today's tires seem to fit more tightly on the rims than their predecessors. I have started carrying a KoolStop TireJack with me on every ride, and I heartily endorse the product. It works very well on road tires and on the 26 x 1.95" tires I use on my mountain bike. Its intended use is installation, but I sometimes use it with tire levers for removal, as well.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069