Tire Lever
 

anyone use these? http://cgi.ebay.com/3xAlloy-Curved-T...item2308d53c0e

I wouldn't use them. I don't like marks on my rims. I use Park plastic or nothing at all.

I use them all the time, without nicking my rims. They are my lever of choice and beat the Park blue plastic ones, IMO, hands down.

http://coachlevi.com/images/reviews/pedroslevers500.jpg

-Kurt

+1

I also use the SKS and Park TL-4s which are similar...

Same here with no complaints.

I use plastic as well, I'd hate to use something that may damage the rim.

I use a Quik Stik. Works great.
http://bloombikeshop.com/images/prod...tikblue250.jpg

I use a Quick Stick. Cheap, easy to carry, no punctures putting tires on.
http://images.nitrosell.com/product_...ACTR125255.bmp

I've used the Pedro's levers and the Soma steel core levers. I'd rather buy more levers than scratch my rims. My LBS owner recommended the Park levers without the plastic. I asked, "Will they scratch my rims." His smart a$$ answer was, "I guess. But why would you want to do that?". I've only bent/broken levers when installing a Challenge Parigi-Roubaix on a VO PBP rim. Tight fit.

Beat me to it brockd15. :)

pedro's have worked great for me as well

The Quik Stik is great for running around the bead to pull off a tight tire, BUT the tip can be too thick to make the initial break. In that case I use whatever generic plastic lever I have first, then switch to the Quik Stik. For tires that fit well, the Quik Stik can't be beat.

I may be the only one dumb enough here to have chipped a bit out of a rim using a metal lever. My first tire change, and my last one ever using a metal lever.

yea i use cheap zefal ones that comes with the patch kits i get from this store called MEC in toronto, but they work fantastic, i saw the metal ones when i was going to buy some but that's what came to my mind as well, i didn't want to mess up my rims

I have used aluminum levers just like the ones in the ebay auction. Mine were made by Minoura and broke easily so I would strongly recommend against them. I have the fancy Lezyne levers now, they are thick and appear indestructible but lack a hook on the opposite end.

Am I the only one who has had great luck with the aluminum levers? I find the plastic ones too thick and difficult to use. They will only scratch or mark the rim if you start running them around edge. Leave them in one spot, and they are fine.

Each of my bikes has its own seat bag, so I needed several reliable levers.
I picked up the thick plastic Specialized from a clearance table at a bike shop.
The orange ones I use in the seat bags, so I don't lose them in the grass on the side of a road somewhere.
The black ones, I use at home. They are sturdy, reliable, and were something like $5 for each pack of 3.

Like many folks, I've tried the cheaper ones; and they've all broken.

When I worked at a bike shop we never used tire levers. This was early 80's. Tires were so loose that you just yanked them off. Now tires are way too tight.

I use metal levers to gently remove the first section of tire, then my hands to finish and remount.
I haven't tried pedro's, but I have had other plastic levers go noodley on me.

I'm with you 100%. I have never scratched a rim with an aluminum lever, let alone break one. Plastic levers (Park and generic in my experience) are too thick to get under the bead, and they snap with the slightest hint of aggression on problematic tire/rim combinations.

There's the difference. I run the lever around the edge while one lever stays put. That's why there's a hook on the end.

I have an impressive collection of metal and plastic tire levers, some dating back to the 50's, and have never once worried about leaving marks on my rims. My favorites are German "ELDI" levers from the 70's. To me they're kinda like guitar picks, you have to leave enough of them lying around that you can find one any time you look for one.

^
I always keep a few tire levers in my pocket so that when I'm thumbing for change in my big, manly hands they'll catch the eye of a good-lookin' lady who invariably asks, "Ooooh. You're a cyclist? Cool." :thumb:

They usually know I'm a cyclist too, though it's not always clear why. Well, I suppose it might be because I usually have a bicycle with me... or the permanent chain stains on all my trouser cuffs... or my distinctive hairstyle, which looks a lot like the inside of a bike helmet.