Park tool, think mine are 10 years old and good as new.
I've got a mixture of the basic Park ones and some of the Halfords black things, never failed to get a tyre on or off with either in 20+ years. The toughest were Magic Mary Supergravity on Hope 35W rims but they gave in eventually.
Pedros for me, cheap as chips, and very effective. I've snapped a couple of very old ones, trying to use brute strength over technic, but considering they cost a £5, I was more than happy just to buy more. I avoid steel core one as the plastic just snaps off. I do feel tempted by the likes of new fangled designs, but pedro's work extremely well and their cheap...
Best cheat I know of for fitting tyres (assuming your at home, not out on the trails), is to simply warm the tyre as much as possible before trying to fit it. I normally use a bucket of hot water or put the tyre next to a radiator, if their on.
I usually use the blue Schwalbe ones. They have that great feature of the clip that holds the already mounted bead on while you work the other end.
The other day I splashed out on a [url= https://www.merlincycles.com/wolf-tooth-8-bit-tyre-lever-rim-dent-remover-multi-tool-244240.html ]Wolf Tooth thing[/url] - cos I wanted the ding straightener bit (my son is bloody hard on rims!). I used the lever and it was unexpectedly brilliant (so was the ding part). So if you need a ding straightener and a lever, I'd recommend one!
The answer is DT rims.
A mate got a Bontrager wheel when he smashed his original wheel on a boys trip. It took 4 people to get a Michelin DH tyre on it. He's just taken it to a shop to get another one put on & they had a nightmare getting it seated.
I've got the same tyre on & off a DT rim with no levers.
It’s great for fitting/removing inserts because it has a big, round handle that means you can apply pressure downwards to stuff the bead of the tyre under the insert, which is basically what you need to do. The actual lever blade bit is like a sort of stronger, beefed-up Pedros lever, but basically it’s what you need if you have problems with inserts. Not so much for general use though – the tip is quite thick, which isn’t really what you need, though it would be hard to break I guess. It’s basically all about the ease of applying force in a downwards direction if that makes sense.
Great cheers, I'll probably pick one up soon.
I'm also a fan of the steel core nylon jobs that don't cost much. They're thinner than the "unbreakable" plastic ones like the Parks, and when you're wrestling with a tight fit, a thick lever isn't helping.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-steel-core-tyre-lever-set
All bets are off when the tyre has a tight bead and the rim a shallow well.
I have Pirelli somethings on my road bike,they were an absolute nightmare to fit.
I am so scared of getting stranded with a puncture I always take one of those tyre tools that Kersey posted.
Cushcore Bead Dropper is immense. As well as levering you can use it to push / force / batter the bead over the rim.
Without it I would never have got the 2.3” dhr2 on my XM481 rim with a rimpact in there too. Worst combination I’ve had so far. Without the rimpact that tyre flies on that rim……
I also had a slight battle with a 2.6 forecaster onto an xm481 again with a rimpact, and a 2.6” slaughter onto an xm421. Without the rimpact those tyres are both fairly easy.
I do know have a wobbly beaded Forekaster though 🫣
Update. Wheel taken into shop by Mrs A today to have tyre fitted. It took them 15 mins, two mechanics and a wide variety of tools I'm told. Fitting and sealant cost £5:00, a bargain. I hope they offer a recovery service if I trash the tyre somewhere remote.
Cheers for the recommendations for levers folks, I think I might have to get something totally reliable like the Pedro's DH or the Park steel levers. I'll just have to suck up the extra weight because my dodgy hip stops me walking any great distance. Arthritis sucks tbh.
Ambrose
Spoons man.....
If in doubt, use a bigger spoon.
Pedros.
Mainly because they only fail just before you break or bend the rim.
