Tyre Lever Evolution - ?

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simongt

Guru
Location
Norwich
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 - ? :whistle:
Doesn't make the cyclists life any easier - ! :dry:
 
You cant really muscle down with a metal lever on a carbon rim
 

PaulSB

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

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Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
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.
 

Edward.s

New Member
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

Ancient randonneur
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.
 
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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
 
OP
OP
simongt

simongt

Guru
Location
Norwich
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. :whistle:
 

Tom B

Guru
Location
Lancashire
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]
 
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