arej00dazed

I use the plastic walmart levers (bell?) with no problem at all. Mtn bikes or my kids 16" bikes (try replacing one those damn tires!!!!!!!!)

StanSeven

And some people haven't experienced difficult tire/wheel combinations. I can put most brand new tires on in a snap with nothing special. Then there are a few that are really, really tough. I never resort to levers but I've gotten a blister on my thumb before. Some tires come very tight/small - combine that with the right wheels and it's a challenge for anybody.

Edit - here's an example I just saw in another thread

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...mpossible-Tire

Freewheeler

I love these, expensive but I'll never buy any again.


https://www.lezyne.com/products/tire-...#!alloy-levers


.

Doug5150

On another board someone had a similar problem with changing tires, but the reason was they had osteoarthritis in their hands and simply couldn't grab small tire levers very well, or accomplish the feat without levers.

In that case, there is another option: using tire levers intended for motorcycles. Caution must be taken because it is much easier to damage rims/tubes/tires, but if other alternatives aren't useful there is one more.

The normal ones are called "tire spoons" and are 10 to 12 inches long with a loop on one end and a flat oval spade on the other. They are always made of steel. They don't cost much either (-less than many of the high-end bicycle levers, despite using a lot more material-).

There are various styles other than spoons though. Google shows pictures, and none of them cost more than $10-$15 or so. Order online or visit any local well-stocked motorcycle shop for purchasing.

frantik

blue park levers have worked for every wheel/tire combo i've dealt with.

fietsbob

VAR, + the Michelin 'Hi Lite' ones , [both old, discontinued]
the VAR have a tire jack, & 1 lever.. on the tire jack,
that molded in , but they break off ,
I file off the stump, use the jack .. so then 2 of the others are added.

Garfield Cat

that flat oval spade, its designed for motorcycle tires. But is that spade tapered enough for bicycle tires? The Lezyne example above seems to have the shape of the spade specifically designed for bike type tires and rims. The motorcycle spoon is like 10 inches in length and the Lezyne big one is like 6.5 inches. Probably because you don't need that much leverage for bike tires.

The Quik Stik tire lever is long enough but their spade is much too blunt compared with the Lezyne.

BlazingPedals

I can almost always get my tires off with no levers by using Retro's approach. But in the rare case of needing a lever, I use a QuickStik. You only need one. I've seen them in lots of catalogs, as well as discount places like Wally World.

The Chemist

I use plastic levers - mine came in a patch kit that I bought ages ago. Never had an issue with them - they work like a charm and are pretty tough. I've taken off my tires many times using them without damaging them.

I don't use levers to put my tires on, though - I always do that by hand.

rumrunn6

yo 10wheels, you keep a log of your flats? 106 is mighty impressive

Cookiemonsta

I have used plastic levers forever without problems, though there may be a difference in the type of tire we use and how hard it is to "lift" it off the rim.

The fear I have with levers made out of some type of metal is that I am afraid to damage both the rim and puncture the tube when lifting the tires. if my current plastic levers would not be sufficient, I would just look for some sturdier ones.

BTW, I also always put tires back on by hand. Not only do I think it is actually faster than using tire levers (though it does require a bit of force), but I would also (again) be afraid to puncture the tube I probably just put in there.

CraigB

I've used the Minoura-type alloy levers for over 25 years with no problems.

ThermionicScott 

I try not to use tire/rim combos on the road that I can't mount/dismount by hand at home.

RALEIGH_COMP 

i had a pair of plastic levers that crumbled on me. However they were left in the sun for a couple weeks during the summer, right when i picked them up they felt different. I didnt give it much thought, as soon as i applied pressure... bam! pasta noodle (uncooked ofcourse). so that is just another possibility of a plastic lever failing. I guess that is technically user error as i should have put my tools away. lol

Freewheeler

My previous post doesn't link to the correct image immediately on the Lezyne site, these are the levers I'm talking about-

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...w=1016&bih=621

They really are very nice, expensive but unless I loose them they'll last me forever, just under 4" long, made from aerospace alloy that weighs only slightly more than air