Blue park tools ones. Cheap as chips, pretty hard (NOT impossible) to break. I've got about a dozen in various kit bags, saddle packs, backpacks etc.
It's not that hard to do without levers. There's a knack to it.
All the bead has to be in the well of the rim, otherwise you've got no chance. And you have to make sure you've worked your way around the rim gathering slack. And for refitting, there's a technique of pushing the bead on.
I don't carry levers, not sure I could find any. Last time I needed some I think was about ten years ago when I had some wire beaded Gatorskins on the road bike. Well, I say needed - I fixed a puncture on the roadside without them, but I wished I'd had some as it was a right struggle.
I've some random metal levers but haven't needed to use them in an age. Maybe road tyres are harder to get on than MTB?
They are excellent however for dis-assembling children's play equipment when they have those barbed and slotted joints so that's what they get used for these days.
I thought I was reasonably competent at changing tyres and setting up tubeless until I got stranded the other day on my 27.5+. First time it'd got a flat and managed to break a pair of blue park levers trying to get the thing off the bead - and I think my fingers are reasonably strong (climbing), normally don't need levers. It was cold out but I couldn't get the tyre off at all (WTB trailblazer on Charge 40mm rims).
Took me about 3 tries to get a tube in without it pinching, tried setting up tubeless but it's that tight it splits the tape in the well of the rim. Steel levers are the only option in this case!
Bit of a hijack but anyone got any experience of good rim/tyre combos for 27.5+? Ideally tubeless and not too pricey!
I have park ones, MBUK ones (which are pedro copies), and pedros. I also have a couple of sets of cheap metal ones too
Pedros definitely the best (MBUK ones too)
I would have thought that metal ones would scuff the rim? That's why I haven't used mine
I'm using Scraper i45s and Nobby Nics. No problems here. Easily set up tubeless using 50mm tape, Stans fluid, WTB valves and a track pump.Bit of a hijack but anyone got any experience of good rim/tyre combos for 27.5+? Ideally tubeless and not too pricey!
Specialized Pry Babies (long since discontinued) are the best. Planet X used to do a knock-off version (obviously) which were just as good - the only time I've ever had cause to say something good about PX!
