Customers' Reviews:
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 Amazing Bike Tire Tool, October 7, 2008
By Gregory L. Borchert (Grapevine, Texas USA)
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This tool makes easier work of even the most difficult to install bike tires. I recently installed some Continental 4000 clinchers (700C), and read in a couple online forums that these were notoriously difficult tires to stretch onto the wheels. I don't know if I would have been able to get them on without this Crank Brothers Speed Lever. I may have gotten them on with another tool, but with much greater risk to damaging very expensive rims. This tool is simple to use, and makes most tire removal and install issues a snap.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
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 Cheap contruction works for some but not for others., May 21, 2010
By R. Magmoss (NY, NY)
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I first used the speed lever on my old bike. It really made removing the tire from the wheel rim fast and easy. Likewise, for installing the tire back on to the rim. Then I bought a new bike, which must have tires that are tighter around the wheel rim. When I first inserted the speed lever under the tire bead of my new bike and inverted the lever to pry the tire away from the wheel, the removal hook (the tip that inserts under the tire bead) tore away from the body of the lever. And this was during a 40 mile bike tour. I had to pay for a taxi to bring my bike back home, where I used my old Park levers to change the tube. I'd give it less stars but for the fact that I know it worked so well on my old bicycle and there's a lifetime warranty on the lever that was easy to make a claim under. Still, even with the new speed lever, I'm carrying my old Park levers in my flat repair kit. I'm hoping that Crank Brothers improves the design/quality a bit. I'd gladly spend a bit more for an improved speed lever.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Makes changing tires unbelievably easy!, February 23, 2010
By Ron (Orlando, FL USA)
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Best little accessory EVER for any bike rider. Usually with traditional tire irons, you have to use 2-3 of them, relocating them a few inches away each time. It takes a lot of muscle with the old style tire irons, because you're forcing on a few inches of tire at a time onto the rim. With this little guy, you slide it around (pivoting on the hub of the wheel), so you only have to move a few millimeters of tire over the rim at a time. No effort required!
As a side note, Gatorskin tires decrease or nearly eliminate the need to ever even use this tool to fix flats. They are amazingly flat-proof. Highly recommended if you don't want to have to stop by the roadside nearly ever. They're worth the few extra bucks the first time you avoid a flat!
Happy riding!
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Fast and works great, September 18, 2008
By B. Hatfield (OH United States)
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So my new bike has had 4 rear flats in 6 weeks. Both types of tires I've tried were incredibly hard to put on by hand - maybe 20 minutes of fighting every time. This device was awesome. I had a little trouble hooking the bead when removing the tire but installing the tire was effortless. I didn't have to worry about the tube being pinched or anything. It is also extremely light and easily carried. The only down side is that it is made of plastic and will probably break after a while. Until I find a tire, rim tape, tube combination that doesn't flat (my el cheapo hybrid never flatted in a year of riding) I will always have this while riding.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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 Good tool but use with caution, June 7, 2010
By Desert Rat (Palm Springs, CA)
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I have used the Speed Lever many times with mixed results until I devised an improvement. The problem with tight sticky tires is that it has a tendency to slip off instead of sliding the tire off, sometimes with unfortunate results. Twice I smashed my thumb on a spoke when it slipped. I have solved this problem with a loop of 1" nylon webbing that I slip over the head of the tool before inserting it under the rim. Once the tool is clipped over the hub, I then pull the nylon webbing at about a 30 degree angle away from the rim. This seems to improve the action as well as keeping my hand safe.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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Perfect tool for those with hand problems, June 24, 2009
By David Winslett (MO, USA)
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If you have difficulty taking off or putting back on a cycle tire this is the tool for you. I have very stiff thumbs that make conventional tire levers hard to use...I dreaded a flat but a friend introduced me to the Crank Bros miracle tool and what a difference. Probably extended my cycling for 10 years. No fear of a flat now with Crank Bros Speed Tire lever.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Outstanding tool, makes tire install/removal a snap, January 23, 2010
By Arturo Donate (Tallahassee, FL)
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I've owned this tool for almost a year now and I can't imagine myself using anything else. I've tried it on several different 700C rims (bontrager, shimano, and mavic), using tires of various sizes (700x35, 700x28, 700x25, 700x23), and it has worked perfectly every time. It is truly amazing how this little guy can simplify the job of tire installation/removal. Highly recommended, I'd give it 6 stars if I could.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Perfect tool for those with hand problems, June 24, 2009
By DaiW (MO, USA)
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If you have difficulty taking off or putting back on a cycle tire this is the tool for you. I have very stiff thumbs that make conventional tire levers hard to use...I dreaded a flat but a friend introduced me to the Crank Bros miracle tool and what a difference. Probably extended my cycling for 10 years. No fear of a flat now with Crank Bros Speed Tire lever.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Love my speed lever!!, February 11, 2008
By Geane Helfrich (Charleston, WV United States)
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This little guy is amazing! I will never use anything else to remove and reseat my bike tires! It's fast, easy and gets you back on the road where you belong! I wish it were made of a little sterner stuff, tho, I did manage to break one removing a stubborn new tire. But then it would weigh more....One side removes and the other replaces.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Excellent easy to use but does not fit all, November 29, 2009
By Arvind (Bangalore, India)
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Its a very easy to use tyre lever for bicycle tyres but the telescoping handle does not reach the axle
of my road bike (700x23 tyres), which the product claims. Its still usable though and very good.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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AWESOME, September 26, 2011
By Robert
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This product is awesome. It works just as it says it should and works fast and easy. My wife who had never changed a bike tire before changed one in a very short time. It is a little long if you have a small pack but so far it fits in every pack I have tried it in. I love this thing much more easy then the two seperate tire irons.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Tire came right off!, May 29, 2011
By James Duckett (St. George, Utah)
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My biggest fear is having a flat tire. I've been really lucky in that regard (knock on wood). I did recently change some tires on my wife's bike and with this took the tire came off extremely quick and easy. Much easier than the other tools I had, which I use one or two lever deals to get the tired off. I bet I got the tire off five times faster with the crank brothers speed level tool. HIGHLY recommended!!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Makes it easy to mount/dismount "difficult" tires, November 18, 2010
By M. Paganini
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I was unlucky enough to purchase a bike with a difficult tire/rim combo. I normally change a tire on the trails in five minutes, but this particular combination made it impossible to change tires without further help.
I found this tool while looking for alternatives to the problem. It's a a small "tire jack", similar to the big jacks you see in car tire stores. You click the arm to the skewer and hook the "head" under the bead. Then, all you have to do is rotate the head and off comes the tire.
I'm giving it four stars for being useful, cheap and transportable. I docked one star out of the rating because it is very flimsy for its task. I'm positive it will break after a few uses.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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 Not that great..., January 18, 2012
By Kevin
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I bought this tire lever to fix some flats on my track bike. I have 700x23c wheels and taking out the tire was intuitive like any other tire. The fact that you can extend and connect the end to the center was pretty cool and helped you pull out those clinchers which are a PITA especially road bikes. However after about a few months of use, the lever portion gave way and it broke off. I wouldn't really buy this again and just bought some Park Tools tire lever instead from my LBS. I don't know about larger tires such as mountain bikes and the like, but these are definitely not meant for thin road/track tires.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Only tire lever you will ever need, September 19, 2011
By Terry Hutt (Running Springs, CA)
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This telescoping tire level works very well. Slip it under the bead, extend it, and clip the other end to the skewer. This baby slips around releasing your tire in a couple of seconds. If you can't thumb the tire back on again you can slide it back on with this.
They're really tough - the only time I need to buy a new one is when I foolishly leave it by the side of the trail after fixing a flat (twice now!)
The only downside I see is that it's a little long so it's a tight squeeze into some smaller saddle bags.
Other than that it's the best on the market.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Tire lever, July 18, 2011
By sw (california)
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I used the lever to change a 700x25 tire and while it hooked well under the tire, it would not spin around on the rim. I still needed to use another tire lever to free up a section before this would kick into "speed" mode. I was afraid to use too much force since it is made of plastic. Maybe my tire was on the stiffer side so this didn't work as effortlessly as described. It worked, but not without the aid of another lever.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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if you can't get your tire back on the rim, this is a great option, June 30, 2011
By Jerri
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If it doesn't break, this tool works great for getting a tire on and off. For tires that fit tightly, this is the only way that I can get the tire back on the rim. The only problem is that the tool had a tendency to break. Over the years, I have broken a couple of these. But, I keep buying another because I have not found an easier way to get a tire back on the rim. I wish that Crank Brothers would strengthen or reenforce the plastic so that it did not break. If you can get a tire back on the rim with your hands or regular tire levers, don't buy this. If you can't, then this is a great option...just be prepared to buy a replacement when it eventually breaks.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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This is the best thing since sliced bread, June 19, 2011
By Dave D
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This paid for itself in one usage.....I have a rim/tire combo that is extremely tight....normally I kill a couple of tubes in the process of putting the wheel back on after a flat and it takes me forever....this tool gets in done in 30 seconds vs 30 min.....best purchase I have made in a long time
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Easy., November 16, 2011
By Thomas Stromberg (San Francisco, CA, USA)
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Until tonight, it had been 7 years since I had last changed tires on a bicycle. I was happy to take it to the dealer for tire changes when I would recall how painful it was the last time. After watching the instructional video for this tool on the CrankBrothers website, it only took a few minutes to change out the stock tires and tubes, and install 700x28 Gatorskins instead. This tool packs up fairly small in my seatbag, so it's always with me to use in an emergency.
I wish everyone knew about this tool.
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Not great, August 6, 2010
By walstib11
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Would not buy again. Cheaper fatter ones from local bike shop are better. Telescoping is a waste.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Amazing!, December 25, 2011
By Gumby (Claremont, ca United States)
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I bought this on a whim without reading the directions or looking at the demo video. I tried changing tires and it was a bit tough. Wasn't sure why I spent 8 bucks on a tire lever
Well, 3 months later, I got some new tires and decided to give this another shot
Wow, it was FAST, I feel like a pro!
I bit bigger than traditional tire levers, but well worth it!
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Elegant design | Lightweight | Fast | Works on 700C road & heavy 26in mountain tires | Lifetime warranty, December 12, 2011
By Ang Fan (Palo Alto, CA USA)
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I've used the Crank Brothers Speedlever on Conti 4000S and Michelin Pro3 Race 700x23 road tires on Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, and on Kenda 26x2.1 and heavier 26x2.5 Nevegal mountain tires on DT Swiss wheels. I've even used it on tiny tires/wheels on a kiddie straddle bike for teaching balance. I simply can't fathom the two reviews that (a) say they can't telescope the lever from the rim to the axle on a 700C--unless they live in "Magnifyland" where wheels are bigger than they look or are labeled, or (b) say the Speedlever breaks in use. Only caveat is that if your axle doesn't use skewers/quick releases, you will have to hold the axle end of the Speedlever in the right place at the axle--you won't be able to snap it on.
Like all Crank Brothers tools, it has a lifetime warranty--which you *might* need, though I never have, if you ignore the following hint:
Common sense hint:
Break the tire bead from the rim *before* using the Speedlever. That is, pull or push the deflated tire (did they even fully deflate the tire?) away from the both sides of the rim towards the center by hand--all the way around the tire. Do this to ensure that the tire is not adhered to the wheel. This is very easy and fast--~30seconds. I just squeeze the two sides of the tire together. Then, be careful to not hook the tube along with the tire when using the Speedlever. Either oversight could plausibly create so much friction that the 360 degree sweep around the wheel that one does with the Speedlever that it might break--though I've used mine more than 20X without such a mishap. Move slowly at first, don't yank on it, and all will be well. I'm so impressed with this elegant design that I've bought several to give away as gifts. Everyone has been pleased; some say "wow!" I just ordered four more to give away. I'm a product designer who wishes I'd invented it myself. Very elegant design.
To anyone who is still worried about breaking a Speedlever and getting stranded with a long hike ahead, carry two (along with your spare tube, tire, chain, cable, rear derailleur, replaceable derailleur hanger, extended tool set, satellite phone, skyhook, etc, etc).
I suppose I wish they'd make a titanium version, but for what? $75? I like the design enough that I would buy a Ti version in a flash for absolute indestructibility, **but that would be obsessive** as I've never broken one of these $7 glass reinforced Nylon items. I've had my first Speedlever in my shop tools for years. I keep another in my Camelback, and another with my spare tube on my road bike. Buy and enjoy. And give your old set of three tire levers the Speedlever replaces to some friend who has three arms and hands. [originally posted Aug 12, 2010]
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Seems a little flimsy but works great., January 31, 2012
By jason
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Worked like a charm when other tools would not. Just seems like it will break if too much force is applied.
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This is a handy little tool! I love it!, January 21, 2012
By qleapfan
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I originally purchased this item in order to help me open LCD monitors for repair. This tool looks as though it is well suited for removing a bicycle tire from it rim. The design and quality of this product are pure genius. I highly recommend this tool to anyone who is needing to repair a flat bicycle tire. I will update this review once I have completed my first attempt at repairing an LCD monitor.
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Great tire lever!, January 11, 2012
By Anestis Halkidis
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This tool really makes tire removal quick and easy. But, it has a limited life. This is my second one since the first one broke. But I believe it is a worthwhile tool to have in your toolbox.
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works great, January 10, 2012
By Eric
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stick it under tire, expand to center stalk, works awesome! Used on my tri bike
I recommend this over anything else
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Outstanding product. Everyone should own one!, May 25, 2012
By Richard Willis
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I spent an hour in vain trying to get a continental tyre on. I bought this and it is amazing.
So simple to use just ease each section of tyre over the rim one at a time.
There's a U tube video out there to help.
Instead of 1 hour, it took 1 minute to put the tyre back on.
It won't stop you trapping tube between rim and tyre but that is operator error I.e. Me!
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 For small wheels only, May 7, 2012
By Common sense
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I was waiting to get this tool, to mount 2 new tires on my bike. When it arrived I read the instructions included form crack bros. IT WILL NOT WORK ON A 700x 35 TIRE. Crack bros didn't make the lever long enough. Very disappointed, will go to walmart and buy some regular levers. BEFORE YOU BUY THIS, VERIFY IT WILL WORK ON YOUR SIZE TIRE...
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Easy., November 16, 2011
By A Customer
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Until tonight, it had been 7 years since I had last changed tires on a bicycle. I was happy to take it to the dealer for tire changes when I would recall how painful it was the last time. After watching the instructional video for this tool on the CrankBrothers website, it only took a few minutes to change out the stock tires and tubes, and install 700x28 Gatorskins instead. This tool packs up fairly small in my seatbag, so it's always with me to use in an emergency.
I wish everyone knew about this tool.
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