Cycling UK Forum

Hi,
No it's all about how to spend more money on stuff that will just fill your toolbox up

I think I'll stick to me cheap plastic tire levers for now they always worked in the past.
As I have once on a chilly morning broken a plastic lever, I now carry two sets.

The biggest problem of course is how to get the lever or anything between the tire bead and the rim.

It's mostly about technique, and I didn't see much technique in the video?

S2L wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 10:13am The problem is that before rims became universally tubeless ready, fitting a tyre was relatively easy, in many cases you could do it with bare hands (ah, those Vittoria Corsa on Ambrosio rims, a doddle!). Now it's near impossible in most cases, hence the sprouting of all sorts of plastic contraptions to help with the job... I welcome them all

I can manage any tyre on any of my bikes with some of those blue plastic levers Park tools sell. God knows what they are made of but they seem indestructible. On very difficult tyres I use toe straps too.

nez wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 10:47am

S2L wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 10:13am The problem is that before rims became universally tubeless ready, fitting a tyre was relatively easy, in many cases you could do it with bare hands (ah, those Vittoria Corsa on Ambrosio rims, a doddle!). Now it's near impossible in most cases, hence the sprouting of all sorts of plastic contraptions to help with the job... I welcome them all

I can manage any tyre on any of my bikes with some of those blue plastic levers Park tools sell. God knows what they are made of but they seem indestructible. On very difficult tyres I use toe straps too.

yep the only ones worth having - some other less stubby ones might seem to offer more leverage but I've had better LOOKING plastic levers just bend - no use at all.
I think they may be some sort of mix of plastic and glass fibre?

NATURAL ANKLING wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 10:43am Hi,
No it's all about how to spend more money on stuff that will just fill your toolbox up

I think I'll stick to me cheap plastic tire levers for now they always worked in the past.
As I have once on a chilly morning broken a plastic lever, I now carry two sets.

The biggest problem of course is how to get the lever or anything between the tire bead and the rim.

It's mostly about technique, and I didn't see much technique in the video?

The continued good reports have made me waver a bit from my idea that I don't need one, but on "technique" I noted in the vid that some tyres seemed to need a fair bit of hand force at the end - ie the tool didn't sort it all - it's the last bit of course which is always the problem.

If it managed to get on a pair of Contis I have that have so far defeated my (adapted from Colin) bootlace method I would consider it worthwhile but can't help being a bit doubtful.

Don't suppose someone who has one in London would allow me to do a practice?

Re. Technique…

There might be a trick I am missing, but I have changed tyres for 35 years now… and it’s getting harder rather than easier… if there was a better technique for me to learn, I would have learned it by now… clearly I am not up to the job and quite happy to invest a tenner in a contraption that makes it easier

S2L wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 12:27pm Re. Technique…

There might be a trick I am missing, but I have changed tyres for 35 years now… and it’s getting harder rather than easier… if there was a better technique for me to learn, I would have learned it by now… clearly I am not up to the job and quite happy to invest a tenner in a contraption that makes it easier

I’m sure you’re fine I would just hold off until the next time I have to put Marathon Plus on the Brompton! At the rate I use the Brommie that may be never

I've yet to experience the joys of a tubeless rim, but there's always been tyres and rims that were harder than others, hence the longevity of the VAR and the original Speedlever was around at least twenty years ago. I've always been able to get any tyre I've owned onto any rim I've had, there are some I've struggled to get off, but none that weren't manageable.
OTOH, why wouldn't I use something that made it easier? These things are sometimes subject to bragging rights, does it matter? Is it a better tyre change if you don't use a gadget? Why would anyone care what another uses? I have a big tyre jack thing at home where thankfully most of my tyre changing takes place. I don't carry it on a ride, so I don't need it, I'm still always going to use it when available.
Some people chose to ride slow uncomfortable tyres rather than face the prospect removing a tyre at the roadside, their choice, but anything that might persuade them it needn't be such a big deal is IMO a good thing.

nez wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 12:48pm

S2L wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 12:27pm Re. Technique…

There might be a trick I am missing, but I have changed tyres for 35 years now… and it’s getting harder rather than easier… if there was a better technique for me to learn, I would have learned it by now… clearly I am not up to the job and quite happy to invest a tenner in a contraption that makes it easier

I’m sure you’re fine I would just hold off until the next time I have to put Marathon Plus on the Brompton! At the rate I use the Brommie that may be never

I use the Marathon Racer on the Brompton, a doddle... no need for levers

If ever I wear these out I’ll give them a try.

nez wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 1:39pm If ever I wear these out I’ll give them a try.

Yeah, I'm still on the original tyres too, only had to fix a couple of punctures... it's funny as they should wear quicker, given they spin more...

Sweep wrote: ↑2 Feb 2022, 1:39pm mm
interested in more reports of it in use but for now I'll be sticking to colin's system - I use two boot laces.

Please can you point me to a description of 'colin's system'? I'm intrigued.

davidwgreen wrote: ↑13 Feb 2022, 2:12pm

Sweep wrote: ↑2 Feb 2022, 1:39pm interested in more reports of it in use but for now I'll be sticking to colin's system - I use two boot laces.

Please can you point me to a description of 'colin's system'? I'm intrigued.

Jonathan

Hey all

Declaring interest - I stock and sell the Tyre Glider online - but that's because I think it's a fantastic product and am keen to get behind it.

I'm first and foremost a mechanic but as such I'm very much aware that not everyone has the magic ability or mega hand strength to work with awkward rim/tyre combinations.

For me, the biggest benefit is in fitting stubborn tyres without damaging the tube you've just fitted in the rain by the side of the road

I'd be very happy to assist if anyone needs more info on technique or needs any help - even happy to demo if you're local to my workshop!

Greg


CUK Reading Member

I think we need a CUK member offer!

I've bought one. OK I took a chance on spending £13 on something that may not be any good, but as my hands are ageing, anything that might help tyre removal is worth a try. The hardest part seems to be pushing the lip of the device under the bead for lifting off the rim but there can be a similar problem with VAR. Using the device for putting the tyre back on is extremely easy.
I've tried it on two of the rims and tyres that I have had most problems with and it works very well. One tyre had a wire bead and the other was a fplding tyre.