the fist one I think I only needed my hands. I may have had to use the lever to get the last part on on the last one. but thats just getting the lever under the bead and lifting it up. they take very little effort to mount and dismount. the tire would hold air fairly well too you ride it hone it would leak and the sealed would leak out of that slot till the tire was empty. they are new rims and the bad spot happened in two different places on the rim.different sides too.