Tip of the Day

Changing tires and tubes without tire levers

How many tubes have you ruined using tire levers to remove and reinstall tires?.

Personally I have ruined lots over the years, not knowing I've even done it until I inflated the tires, went to go riding the next day and sure enough the tire is flat.

The reason for this is usually that when putting the final 12 inches of the tire back on the rim it is very difficult and you have to use the tire levers to get the last section of tire on. When you do this it is very easy to pinch the tube between the tire lever and the rim causing a pinch flat.

Since I stopped using tire levers I have not ruined a single tube and if you use latex tubes like I do it gets expensive replacing tubes at $12.00 a pop.

When you stop using tire levers you will notice very quickly that it requires a lot more strength, especially in the hands. After you are finished your hands will probably hurt and you may even have blisters.

So you are probably saying to yourself by now, Where the heck is he going with this?.

Here's the TIP.... USE RUBBER GLOVES.

The ones that work the best are the garden gloves that look like they have been dipped in rubber. they cost $4.99 at any hardware store. When you start using the gloves you will not believe how much easier it is. The gloves give you a lot of grip to be able to roll the tire on to the rim much easier, with a lot less strength and effort required.

Give it a try and you can kiss goodbye to those dreaded tire levers.

No more scratching rims, no more chasing tire levers across the room when they let go unexpectedly.