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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 8, 2011 at 7:09am

Thank you all for the suggestions- I will have to look into the Kool Stop Tire Jack. Sometimes I just don't have the strength to struggle with getting the tires on. In fact, the one rim/tire combination I have (Specialized/Alex Z-1000 rims (stock) and Bontrager Racelite hard case (not stock) but I got a great price on them) it took the bike shop mechanic over 30 minutes to reinstall and seat the tires correctly.  I think the wrench there told me that was one of the hardest tire change he had ever done and that some tire/rim combinations really just suck. I guess I should be happy that I can finally use my hands/thumbs on those same tires- but it is painful.  

 

Oh, and in retrospect, I should have got the Armadillos, but I got a great price on the Bontragers, and they have served me well except for the once in a while huge shards of glass and once, a 1 1/2" nail that I apparently didn't avoid :(

 

I will definitely look into that Kool Stop tool asap now!

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 8, 2011 at 7:38am

There is a British brand of tire (tyre?) jack that I hear is better than the Kool-stop but it is really hard to get a hold of here in the states.  I forget the name of it.

 

It's weird that many tough tires are only really tough when they are new and after a few hundred miles loosen up.  Having a tire that is impossible to change on the road is the suck.   I carry a pair of Pedro's levers in my tube bag just in case I need them.   Winter tire changes can be a bear too as the cold tires are very non-pliable.  with this heat (thank the many varied gods for this wonderful warm weather finally) tires are much more pliable.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 8, 2011 at 8:01am

VAR Super Tyre Tool -http://www.flickr.com/photos/ancientcycles/5055696478/

I had to look it up since you mentioned it. Seems to be a discontinued item or, like you said, just hard to find in the U.S. 

I also found a Crankbrothers Speed Lever - http://www.rei.com/product/627610/crankbrothers-speed-lever

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Permalink Reply by Jamais716 on June 8, 2011 at 9:57am

the tire jack is amazing! Rapid Transit didn't have it in stock when I went in after getting 3 flats to buy a set of Gatorskins but they ordered it for me.  Haven't had much chance to use it since I got the Gatorskins tho :-)

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 8, 2011 at 10:46am

The VAR tool is the one I was thinking of.  It's pretty much unobtanium in the US.  I guess it is hard to get in the UK too but it is possible to find it there.  I'm sure someone has it online but it would cost a mint to special order it.  Buy a Brooks while you are at it and combine shipping ;)

 

The guys on bikeforums.net have raved about the VAR tool.  If it is that much better than the Kool-stop jack then it can probably raise the dead...

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