Tyre levers

[David.H]

What length of tyre lever is most suitable? Any difference between 16 & 19 inch wheels?

[Duncan Grimmond]

I've found my old motorcycle ones,6", worked ok but the 12" ones I bought recently fit in the tool bag in the car and when I used them the other day at the roadside to fit a new tube the job was easier.
I fitted new tyres on my trike last week without levers having warmed the tyres first and treading them on with my boot heels.

As Archimedes said "with a long enough lever and a fulcrum I could move the world"

[cwchrisp]

I used 15 and 17 inch levers at home the other day and bought some TyreTec tyre soap which made the job easier for me and reduced risk of pinching the inner tube.
Warm tyre is a must I found.

[Steve Jones]

What length of tyre lever is most suitable? Any difference between 16 & 19 inch wheels?

Well, it all depends.........!

   

Steve

[andrew34ruby]

I would choose the shortest of the bright silver levers in Steve' photo. Use them to remove tyres. Don't use levers at all to fit tyres.

[Hugh Barnes]

Some years ago, I bought a pair of 'Heyco' brand levers, very similar to the silver ones in Steve's photo. They are 16" in length. Frankly, they were a revelation after struggling with all sorts of rubbish over the years...

[Chris KC]

Mine are Melco, acquired from Halfords a good few years ago - about the same length as Hugh's I guess and adequately strong (it's not difficult to bend them if 're-purposed' for other tasks, though more than strong enough for tyres!)

[Peter Clayton]

Use the shortest that you can, otherwise excessive strain can be put onto and into the tyre carcass. Damage to the shoulder can cause chaffing to the innertube in service. Use tyre soap or washing up liquid (don't get caught in the kitchen) and I have some short, 4" , sections of garden hose , split lenghtwise to slip over the rim where the tyre levers are pivoting to protect the finish.

[Steve Jones]

Would suggest not washing up liquid. It contains high concentrations of salt and rots the wheel rim. If proper tyre soap isn't available, Waxoyl does the job and has the advantage of adding some protection to the wheel rim. Of course, if fitting tyres for trials that will be glued to the rims once fitted, any form of lubricant rather defeats the object of the exercise!

The two pairs of long levers in my photo are 36" and 24". Never used the 36" ones but the 24" have come in handy removing a very old and very hard pair of tyres from good wheels. My favourites are the three levers in the middle bought years ago from a French Supermarket. The curve in them gives a little extra leverage when needed and the slight hooks at the tips locate under the tyre bead well. The short levers are all marked 'Dunlop' and inherited from my Father. Probably made pre-war.

Steve

[Duncan Grimmond]

'Ere, Ive just noticed I've been given the title of Posting Freak. Is this a hint or an accolade?