Oh The Shame...

[Mr Haematocrit]

My MTB has beadless rims and tubeless tyres. Changing tyres on this is nothing short of a nightmare.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Pedro's levers - will even remove Shwalbe Snow studs without issue.

This. Big chunky bright yellow things. And a VAR lever to get the tyre back on.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I really cannot be bothered with plastic tyre levers - they are a total waste of space.

You've not tried Pedros?

 

[martint235]

I've got big, flat yellow levers (about an inch and a half wide). Perfect for getting tyre off and back on again. They aren't pedros though.

 

[Tim Hall]

I sympathise. I dread a puncture on one of my bikes, as when it did happen once on a ride my burly cycling buddy had real trouble getting the tyre back on the rim. Sometimes the tolerances are just very tight. If I got a puncture I wouldn't be keen to take the tyre off in case I couldn't get it back on again - and wouldn't even be able to wheel the bike anywhere.

I don't think you'll damage the tyre by wheeling it whilst deflated. Not reasonable distances anyway.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Bontrager tyre levers.

 

[Tim Hall]

Yes, but I wouldn't wheel it anywhere with the tyre off.

Ah, see what you mean. Have you got a VAR tyre lever? I'll show you mine (oo-er) next time we meet. I first learnt about them when I had a puncture on the Pino which was sporting a very tight 406 front tyre. Mick Hills whipped out this unlikely looking gadget and had the job done in minutes. One of our party asked what it was. "It's a tyre lever Liz" whilst true wasn't exactly informative.

 

[Fubar]

Ah, see what you mean. Have you got a VAR tyre lever? I'll show you mine (oo-er) next time we meet. I first learnt about them when I had a puncture on the Pino which was sporting a very tight 406 front tyre. Mick Hills whipped out this unlikely looking gadget and had the job done in minutes. One of our party asked what it was. "It's a tyre lever Liz" whilst true wasn't exactly informative.

they look great, I had real problems after getting a rip in my touring bike tyre - the LBS initially sold me the wrong size tyres (cue 3 hours in the kitchen, 4 broken tyre levers, a trashed tyre and me almost in tears) - when I took them back they instantly replaced them for Shwalbe Marathon plus but it took 2 guys an hour to get them over the rims. Kind of worries me what I'll do if I get a puncture, might be worth a punt on these.

How big are they? (i.e. easy to stick in the bike bag and forget they are there??)

 

[Tim Hall]

they look great, I had real problems after getting a rip in my touring bike tyre - the LBS initially sold me the wrong size tyres (cue 3 hours in the kitchen, 4 broken tyre levers, a trashed tyre and me almost in tears) - when I took them back they instantly replaced them for Shwalbe Marathon plus but it took 2 guys an hour to get them over the rims. Kind of worries me what I'll do if I get a puncture, might be worth a punt on these.

How big are they? (i.e. easy to stick in the bike bag and forget they are there??)

About as big as a bundle of normal tyre levers, so easily transportable. The tool splits into two parts, giving you two levers (with nice thin ends for tight tyres) for tyre removal. One part then doubles as the Ever So Clever Tyre Putting Back On tool. They do bend alarmingly though, so be a bit gentle.

Instructions here

The other way of getting tight tyres on is the Pippsy method, involving stepping on the edge of the tyre while levering the wheel away from you, as demonstrated by @PippaG in her avatar. (It's possible that the shoes pictured aren't the best for this procedure. They are very nice though. (little moment).

 

[Fubar]

About as big as a bundle of normal tyre levers, so easily transportable. The tool splits into two parts, giving you two levers (with nice thin ends for tight tyres) for tyre removal. One part then doubles as the Ever So Clever Tyre Putting Back On tool. They do bend alarmingly though, so be a bit gentle.

Instructions here

The other way of getting tight tyres on is the Pippsy method, involving stepping on the edge of the tyre while levering the wheel away from you, as demonstrated by @PippaG in her avatar. (It's possible that the shoes pictured aren't the best for this procedure. They are very nice though. (little moment).

Thanks, I found the instructions with a quick Google search - think I might place an order, just in case...

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Thanks, I found the instructions with a quick Google search - think I might place an order, just in case...

Same here!

 

[Tin Pot]

I had to take a wheel into the LBS to fix a p******e. Try as I might I couldn't get the tyre off of the rim. I have the park tools plastic tyre levers, never had a problem before. Some honour can be recovered from the fact that the bike is my fiances and he has no idea at all on any cycle maintenance. The tyre was the factory fitted tyre on his Carrera Gryphon hybrid, which is a Kenda Kwest. No sense replacing it as he only commutes 1.5 miles each way and the occaisional leisure ride (maybe 1 a month) and the tyre is barely worn in.

Hugs
Archeress x

How did you get a pissarse in your wheel?

 

[griff488]

I have a set of metal ones I've owned for nearly 20 years and they've never let me down. I've changed all sorts from bmx's to 700cc tyres with them without any damage.

 

[Paul99]

Thanks, I found the instructions with a quick Google search - think I might place an order, just in case...

Same here!

VAR tyre levers are excellent P******* protection. I averaged a deflation a week on my commute (glass and debris strewn parts) and had a very tight tyre, so I invested in a VAR tyre lever to save my thumbs and haven't had a deflation in 3 months!

 

[Globalti]

This is what you need, the best natural dry lubricant for sticky rubber: