Looking for non-POS tire lever suggestions

It was with frozen digits, standing over a flat in the snow, flinging every cuss word I could think of into the frigid blast that I decided I need new tire levers regardless of the cost. My latest are from Performance, with a metal core. Of course, the plastic bends back right at the end of the strip of metal, rendering the levers completely useless and the air full of obscenities when trying to remove 23c clinchers.

I haven't had any trouble mounting tires, but only the removal thereof. Any suggestions for a good set to carry with me that will ease my stress levels?

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Permalink Reply by Gecko on January 30, 2009 at 11:20am
GabeW said:
Very true. I found my Conti's to be soooo tight when they were new. Especially compared to the Hutchisons and Michlens I've used before. But after a season on them, then swiching to "city tires" with a wire bead, and then back to the Conti's, they had relaxed a bit and slipped on the rim super easy. I had to remount them twice (forgot they were directional) and was able to slip them on and off both times with a single lever, and minimal effort. Of course the radiators in my apartment were on full blast....numb fingers might have made it more dificult. (would the temp outside also contract the tire around the rim???)

I think the outside temp has something to do with the ease with which the tire mounts/unmounts, but not necessarily due to contraction. I'm not sure a rubber tire will contract enough to make a big difference in the diameter of the bead, even with a kevlar bead. I would think pliability and elasticity (or lack thereof) would be more likely to change with the temperature, and also these would be more likely to affect the 'mountability' of the tire.

But back to the topic, I still maintain that even though they're slightly heavier and bigger, all-steel levers are the way to go no matter what time of the year it is and regardless of the tires you're running. Plus, I've only had flats on rides when I haven't had them, so they must be good luck or something...
Permalink Reply by Jeff on January 31, 2009 at 7:44pm
I never use levers at all. I take the tires off and put them back on with my hands. It must be the fit of the tires on my wheels.
Permalink Reply by Gecko on February 8, 2009 at 6:38pm
I bought a set of Icetoolz steel tire levers at Mike's Bike Shop in Palatine awhile back. They're cheap and almost as small as the plastic ones, but they're strong and have surprisingly good leverage. I keep one or two in my seatpack for longer rides. I had never heard of Icetoolz before buying these, but they're not bad at all. Haven't bent or broken one yet, and I've used them on everything, even DH tires.

You can check em out here
Permalink Reply by joe stein on February 9, 2009 at 2:46am
God gave you thumbs! With a little practice, you should only need levers on the initial install. There is an online video somewhere on velonews.com
Permalink Reply by yellow jello on February 9, 2009 at 4:51am
plastic tip snapped this weekend. now i am a proud owner of a pair of pedros. in pink.

lauren sailor said:
the steel-core soma levers did me right for a while, but within a year i snapped the (plastic) tip on one and bent another tip beyond recognition.

these days, i swear by pedros... just like everyone else, it seems :)
Permalink Reply by DanaW on February 9, 2009 at 5:28am
So I did go out and get a pair of lovely pink Pedros levers. As fate would have it, the rear tire of my road bike started hissing while I was giving her a post-ride shower Saturday morning. On examination, I will be replacing the entire tire. Sooooooooo, the highly reccomended Pedros will be put to the test this week.
Permalink Reply by Matt AKA Jimbo/BMXican on February 11, 2009 at 6:50pm
PEDROS

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