Tyre lever/gizmo recs please

[numtumfutunch]

In short - who's been using a 'next gen' tyre lever thingy that works please?
If so please scroll to end and then reply

Boring Background

Lifetime cyclist and have been riding tubeless on MTB since inception but not on road until recently

On the trails I initially carried a spare tube and CO2 but the system is just so good I stopped bothering.
I diligently swap mud MTB tyres with semi slicks twice a year and often incidentally notice thorns and shards which have penetrated the tyre carcass but sealed without me knowing anything about it

And then I went road tubeless last year, this is almost certainly a GP5000 first generation issue.............

OMG what an absolute shocker to fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Despite being an MTB tubeless expert it was utterly miserable
Honestly getting the tyre on the rim took all of my strength and dignity plus a snapped Park Tools tyre lever

OK so positives are that Im unlikely to have a nail or hawthorn give me an irredeemable flat
Major negative is that a sidewall slash (OK unlikely but had one on gravel last week) looks terminal

Its possible the GP5000TL becomes more compliant after fitting and is easily removed by hand as I have done with all of my bike tyres previously - refit with a tube and bobs your uncle

its also possible its compliance doesnt change after 8 weeks on the bike in which case I have a problem with a flat 50km from home as they are utterly wicked to fit

So ----------- do any of you use the fancy levers being punted around the web at the moment please?

For example:

Tyre glider
BBB Easy Tyre
Or others???

Because if my current GP5000TL has a flat I seriously doubt I could take it off and fit a tube at he side of he road tonight

Many thanks

[klootzak]

To some extent it depends on the rims you're using, but on the whole GP5000s are a complete arse-ache to fit.

Technique is vital. Make sure you break the bead off the rim all the way around before starting and it will be a lot easier (only applicable to first removal obv.).

They do become (slightly) more compliant with time, and you may even be able to get them back on without levers, but you will need levers to get them off.

My cheapo plastic Tacx levers are up to the job even though it does seem marginal for a first fit.

Biggest problem I've had is that the force required can easily tweak the rim out of true. But that's on Fulcrum 4s, which are a bit look-at-me-wrong-and-I'll-buckle anyway.

k

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

These were recommended a while ago on here and I've used them to get some (non-tubeless) GP5000s on that were previously almost impossible to shift. I've never tried them with tubeless though.

https://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tools-and-mai...

[jamm13dodger]

For super strong plastic levers go for the Pedros ones - far less flexy than the park tools ones.

[Master Bean]

None. Once that tyre is on leave it be. Get a Dynaplug Racer tool for emergencies and when the tyre is worn replace it with one that isn't a heap of st.

[outnumbered]

I had a similar battle with fitting the original GP5000 tubeless on my road bike. They were so tight I'm certainly not going to try removing them now to see if they've got any easier to get on and off, just in case they haven't !

In case of a non-sealing puncture, I just make sure I have a tubeless repair kit with me, and if that fails I'll ring the missus...

[Teebs]

GP5000 TL are known for being tight, really tight.

I just fitted a new set of Mavic Tyres and they went on OK (ish) and inflated with a regular pump. Quick squirt of sealent and they'vve held air ok.
Have a look on the BikeRadar forums, there's a new tool that is being discussed that it supposed to be good.

I don't bother with carrying a tube, just a Stans Dart tool and I've been fine for the past 2 years...

[splodge s4]

These are worth while, not sure I could have got my 5000's on without them. They are a bit big to carry around for road side repairs but well worth having them in your work shop

[Gareth79]

I bought a GP5000TL and attempted to fit it to my Mavic Ksyrium wheels - no chance, the channel in the rim is too shallow and narrow. If you put the beads of a GP5000 next to other tyres you can see that they are noticeably wider, meaning they don't sit at the bottom of the channel.

I simply returned them and got Hutchinsons! (They make Mavic tyres so the bead is pretty much identical)

edit: I have a Tire Jack tool like above, really useful for fitting.

Edited by Gareth79 on Thursday 3rd March 13:23

[Master Bean]

splodge s4 said:

These are worth while, not sure I could have got my 5000's on without them. They are a bit big to carry around for road side repairs but well worth having them in your work shop

I have one of these. It's st. It doesn't work. Don't waste your money on pointless plastic junk like this.

[pavlovs-dog]

I appreciate that this is not massively helpful as you have already bought the GP5000s...

I have been building and fixing bikes for 20+ years and despite being a previous loyal Continental GP4000/GP4S customer I just gave up fitting them. They are incredibly difficult to seat, particularly when new or at the roadside. I also found that after about a year they started to delaminate, with long fibres becoming detached from the bead. My 2p is that there are other options which are much easier to fit (currently liking the Pirelli Pzero Velo and offerings from Schwalbe) so why go through the pain!

I echo the 'make sure the bead is unhooked all round the wheel' and kinda massage the tyre on with thumbs. Sometimes a teatowel or gloves can be helpful to aid grip. I also echo the 'useless junk' sentiment of the tyre/bead jack things.

[BOR]

Master Bean said:

splodge s4 said:

These are worth while, not sure I could have got my 5000's on without them. They are a bit big to carry around for road side repairs but well worth having them in your work shop

I have one of these. It's st. It doesn't work. Don't waste your money on pointless plastic junk like this.

I've got one.It's brilliant and definitely works. Only for mounting. I don't think it would help removal.

[outnumbered]

I've got the Koolstop version, and it was the tool that finally let me mount the GP5000s from my earlier post, so I'd have to disagree that these things are all crap/don't work/whatever.

[defblade]

Tyre glider thread on another forum:
https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/13117788/ty...

[splodge s4]

Master Bean said:

I have one of these. It's st. It doesn't work. Don't waste your money on pointless plastic junk like this.

You must be using it wrong, if thats even possible, made fitting GP5000 tubeless a pleasure... well thats a lie but made it possible instead of impossible