Tried fixing a flat tire in the rain and learned the hard way about tire levers

I was out near Lake Merritt on my commuter bike last Thursday when I hit a pothole and felt the back tire go soft. Pulled over under a bus shelter, got out my little pump and tire levers, but those cheap plastic levers snapped like twigs on the first bead. Ended up walking 2 miles home in the drizzle carrying the bike, then spent 20 minutes wrestling the tire off with screwdrivers once I got back. Anyone else had plastic levers fail on you mid roadside repair?

2 comments

2 Comments

fiona1301mo ago

Plastic levers are basically useless once they get cold and wet, I learned that the hard way on a gravel path near the bay. A set of metal core levers with rubber grips changed my life, they bend but don't snap and I can actually pop stubborn beads without cussing at the sky. The screwdriver method works but you risk pinching the tube or scratching the rim, especially if you're tired and cranky from walking in the drizzle. Did you end up swapping to metal levers after that trip or are you still testing different brands?

wren_brown1mo ago

Honestly I think people overstate how bad plastic levers are. I've been using the same three dollar set for two years and they've never let me down, even in the rain. You must be wrestling with some industrial grade tires @fiona130. The screwdriver method is fine if you have steady hands and don't rush it.