Tyre Lever Evolution - ?

[simongt]

Back in't day, tyre levers were a simple metal or later nylon thingy which dealt with pretty much all tyres.
However, in the current issue of 'Cycle', two er, 'highly developed' levers are tested; the Better Bike Lever by K.Garbutt @ £13.50 or £16.27, depending on which size you buy, or the Smart lever by Bicycle Innovations @ £22.50.
They appear to be an answer to the increasing issue of problems with fitting / removing modern tyres on modern rims.
So why have issues like this come to pass I wonder - ?
Doesn't make the cyclists life any easier - !

 

[MichaelW2]

You cant really muscle down with a metal lever on a carbon rim

 

[cyberknight]

You cant really muscle down with a metal lever on a carbon rim

Well you can but it might make it less aero 🤔

 

[Tom B]

While I dont have flash rims, I do find that the simpler the lever the better.

I picked up a new set of the schwalbe plastic levers yesterday for a couple of quid. They just work.

I used spoons a couple of weeks ago when stuck at work.

 

[Webbo2]

You can’t beat being 30 miles from home and you snap a lever trying to get your tyre back on.

 

[PaulSB]

Both appear to take their idea from the ever reliable Crank Bros lever. Great value at £5.29 from Merlin

 

[Dogtrousers]

My best tyre levers came free with a magazine. They're just tough plastic thingies.

 

[cyberknight]

My best tyre levers came free with a magazine. They're just tough plastic thingies.

indeed, cycling plus occasionally did levers , i wouldn’t buy the thing without a free gift now as its adverts and reviews on "entry" level stuff you need to sell a kidney for.

 

[Dogtrousers]

indeed, cycling plus occasionally did levers , i wouldn’t buy the thing without a free gift now as its adverts and reviews on "entry" level stuff you need to sell a kidney for.

Yes - just checked - it was Cycling Plus. I probably saw it in a news agent with the levers taped on it and went "Ooo - free stuff" and bought it.

 

[Webbo2]

Both appear to take their idea from the ever reliable Crank Bros lever. Great value at £5.29 from Merlin

View attachment 767690

I have one of these, it’s a replacement for the original speed lever which snapped.

 

[Edward.s]

My freebie with a magazine (in the 1990s) Pedros milk levers are still going strong. I do have one of those bead-jack plier type things for recalcitrant tyres too.

 

[Ian H]

I have several sets of unbreakable levers. Old-fashioned steel ones. I've never yet damaged a rim with them.
Mind you you, the only carbon wheels I owned were sprints, so obviously no levers required. I sold them (and the bike) when I have up serious racing.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

While I dont have flash rims, I do find that the simpler the lever the better.

I picked up a new set of the schwalbe plastic levers yesterday for a couple of quid. They just work.

I used spoons a couple of weeks ago when stuck at work.

The trick with spoons is to make sure they are straight before putting them back in your Mum's drawer!!

Advise from my Dad many many years ago

 

[simongt]

I have broken a Pedro's tyre lever on a Marathon Plus tyre / Mavic rim combination, but this is the only time in many years of cycling.

 

[Tom B]

You can’t beat being 30 miles from home and you snap a lever trying to get your tyre back on.

Perhaps is a posh rum thing, or a tubeless thing but i can't recall in recent years wver having a tyre I couldn't get on the rim with just my fingers and talc.

Although I have for years run Schwalbe tyres, Marathon Green guards, landcruisers, and various knobbles all with proper beads. I keep a little vile of talc in my puncture kit and a little baggie in my scab pouch.

Course my issue is usually that I have the wrong tube for the bike I'm riding.

My best tyre levers came free with a magazine. They're just tough plastic thingies.

I think my first set of Schwalbe leavers came free with something, either a mag, a tube or at a show.[/QUOTE]