Ah, but that would just start new discusssion:

Tae Kwon Do vs Hapkido vs Boxing vs Greco-roman wrestiling vs WWF vs full contact vs Savate vs akido vs capoeira vs fisticuffs :) :) :) :) :)

Never thought removing the tire is such a big topic. 11 years ago, when I was still in China, local bike mechanic around the corner just used a screwdriver with very dull head as tire lever to remove the tire. I just bought a patch kit recently with 2 tire levers. Man, I thought that was way too luxurious. ;)

I use milk leavers
http://www.bikepro.com/products/tubes/tubes-levers.html (down the bottom of the page)

They are nice and rounded and cause no damage. Plus you feel cool because they are recycled.

Plus one thing you pick up from removing car tyres is start at the valve when taking off and end at the valve when putting on. Can some times give that extra few mm you need.

Sorry but in 30 years of working on BIKES, I'd say just the opposite is true for bicycle wheels/tires.
Wether you use levers to put ON the tires or not.:rolleyes:

Dr.Deltron :. No need to be sorry. I don't mind constructive criticism. Could please explain why this is the case. If when putting a tyre on you start at the valve you are giving your self less room for tyre beed to get deep into the rim and hence this gives you a little bit less tyre to pull over the rim when working round to the oposite side of the rim. Is the problem that you may damage the valve in some way if you finish at the valve? I can not see otherwise how it may be bad to finish at the valve, it just makes life easier with a tight tyre.

All due repect and all that.:)

It is generally accepted that the second bead is easier to put on a rim starting opposite the valve for the reason you indicate -- the bead is able to sit "deeper" in the V or U of the rim and hence make the bead easier to slip over. If you start from the valve, there is limited room on many rims, especially road ones, for this to be an effective strategy.

The tube will be easier to manage and less likely to get pinched if it were partially inflated when inserting it after the first tire bead is in place.

Also, it is good practice to place the tire logo where the tube stem is. This way when you find a puncture in the tube you have a rough idea where the offending object pierced the tire.

Sometimes it is necessary. When its getting dark and the temperature is dropping and your hands and fingers are icy cold. Then it starts to drizzle and you just want to finish the ride.

You left out Simple Green vs Mineral Spirits vs Kerosene
Is it OK with you if we call it "Rowan's list of never ending bike battles"?