Kool Stop tire bead jack
 

I just ordered one from Amazon. Looks like a finger saver I wish I knew about this tool my thumbs wouldn't be all sore right now :D I will carry this on rides and feel more confident in fixing a flat on the road or trail. Anybody have one of these?

We all have those. I cut a couple inches off handle to fit in bag better.
I thought you had all the tools?

:thumb: I’m always late to the party. Well soon I will have one too :D

Someone here told me to get one. I did. It changed my life more than my Bontrager helmet.

I opted for the Crank Brothers Speedier Lever as I figured it would fit in my pocket a bit better. Hopefully I made the right decision.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a43f6b1a73.jpg

Yup, I have a couple, with handles cut off. Also, a VAR lever with built-in bead jack, but the Kool Stop seems easier to use so it's the one I grab at home.

Why do tires have to be so darn tight?

I just use rim/tire combinations that don’t require tools. /shrug

+1.
Jon

I don't see the need to cut down the handle, it's as long as a minipump and no one complains about carrying those in their jersey pocket.

I keep trying to find a way to tuck it up under the frame rails of my Brooks saddle. The Paselas on my vintage rides, are a royal PITA to mount on the Mavic rims I have. It almost fits, but I havent figured out how to secure it.

I work part-time at a bike shop and there are certain tire/rim combinations that without the tire jack there is no way the tire is going on! Especially GatorSkins.
I have not idea how someone could possibly deal with a puncture while out riding without this tool .

I just ride where I don't get flats. /shrug

The Kool Stop bead jack has good leverage that you sacrifice if you trim the handle. VAR makes a portable bead jack/tire lever you can carry while riding. I have one of each; the Kool Stop for the shop and the VAR for the saddle bag or jersey pocket.

I bought two of those by accident, can't figure out how to use them. When I ordered them, I thought they were a cheaper replacement for the Kool Stop tire bead jack, but they're totally different, and seem to be just a regular tire lever that's hollow in the middle and protects your finger knuckles, not that I have ever injured my finger knuckles installing or removing a tire.

It's clearly not the same tool, but the ad made it sound as if it was.

https://365cycles.com/media/catalog/...2017_fixes.jpg
^^^ This is the real deal. ^^^

++1
A must have, for some tires, unless you were born with gorilla grip.

They are much easier after some miles. I have arthritis in my hands so am sensitive to this and only carry my Kool Stop for the first few rides and as said rims make a difference,

With the newer Panaracer folding tires (Pasela, Gravel King) the rubber is very tacky around the bead, which makes them difficult to slide over the rim lip when the tires are new. It's not that the tires are too small, they're just really difficult to slide onto the rim.

For 50 years I had gotten by with using baby power to mount new tires, but with these new Panaracer tires, I've had to start using liquids to overcome the tacky beads. I used olive oil on one set of tires, and soapy water (probably a better option) on the second set. Someone mentioned using the soapy fluid that's sold for blowing bubbles.

I'm reminded of the old "Grab-On" foam rubber handlebar padding that everyone used to use in the late 70's. I used to use shaving cream to slide that stuff on my bars, the new tires are pretty much the same way, you'll need some help, preferably something that will dry out soon and not leave a residue.

+1 on the Kool Stop. Most tire/rim combination can be installed with just hand pressure but certainly not all. Even tires of the same make and model will vary in their ease of installation and the Kool Stop is invaluable when you come across a really recalcitrant combination.

I had the VAR tool but found it too flexible to do the job well. That Crank Brothers tool looks like the VAR and with the same weakness. Nothing fazes the Kool Stop.

Kool stop more shop tool sized, This is the VAR tire jack https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....qL._SX450_.jpg
Of fiber reinforced nylon, .. I snagged several in the 80's

the molded in tire lever shown on the right end typically breaks off .. so I supplement it with additional tire levers ..

and for thin tight tires I bring 2, using them like I used to use my hands , bringing them together while pushing the tire bead
over the edge of the rim.

Often set 3 tire levers, all used at once to get the tires off. at 100+ psi , a tight tire is a good thing,,






..

Winter studded tires. Just saying.

I have two one for home shop one for rack trunk. Doesn’t work w big fat tires like 2.1 studded snows or 2.25 riddlers but it’s ok cuz the riddlers are easy to mount the studded marathons a bit tougher that’s where the speedier lever and toe straps come in handy

I don't find wide tires that tough to mount with only tire levers for tough fits
usually the palms of my hands suffice..

Assume Sumo tire wrestling posture .. ;)

I am late to the party, but hopefully can still contribute. Below is my set. The rightmost one is German and as portable as VAR but easier to use and pushed out VAR from my carry-along tool set.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5b3d59490.jpg

I don't get a lot of flats, either. Long may our luck hold! :thumb:

Don't SAY that!!!!! :D

I just noticed that our goathead season has officially gotten underway. I've seen some gigantic patches of them along the side of the road that seem like they sprang up overnight, and worse yet, quite a few vines actually extending onto the pavement, so as of May 5, 2019, there's nowhere you can go to escape them.

I put my heavy tires on last week, we'll see how it goes. I have 4-5 wheelsets I can swap around, which I think will help. Take my time fixing each flat and figure out exactly what caused it. * crosses fingers *