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Bike Hand long tyre levers

9
£2.95

VERDICT:

9
10
Super efficient and very strong levers – kind to tyres, riders and wallets
Weight: 
64g
Contact: 
www.inmotionproducts.com

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Three quid doesn’t go far but it buys a pair of Bike Hands extra long tyre levers. Kind to tyres, tubes and rims, they’re the perfect antidote to frayed tempers, blistered thumbs and ultra stubborn race rubber. Measuring a whopping 20cm they’re biased toward workshop use and the more delicate telescopic type might prove more practical for wedge packs. Nonetheless, ours remained undefeated whatever genre; profile or bead material was presented to them.

Made from a very strong non descript composite, these basically work on the principle of phenomenal leverage. Their subtle hooked tips are designed to slip beneath the bead while the broad handles sit comfortably in the palms come the big heave-ho. Pre-drilled for the tool board, stowing them inside your typical wedge pack presents a real challenge but creative minimalists could doubtless drill additional holes and have them hitch a ride with mini pumps and other accessories.

From the outset they inspire confidence and remove the most awkward tyres with nominal effort. Purging the tightly fitting 1.95 cross country rubber from my expedition wheelset usually takes the combined effort of four traditional types, phenomenal force, three minutes and words you wouldn’t utter in church. Slipping the first lever beneath the bead, I applied moderate downward pressure to lift it before inserting the second ten centimetres along. Applying consistent force, the remaining bead was chased effortlessly from the sidewalls before using my fingers to free the other side-all in forty- six seconds flat.

Most touring/trail types with profiles between 35 and 43mm will only require a single lever and can usually be popped back with bare hands. Sportier types often bite back at the last ten centimetres. Simply tucking both levers either end of the protruding section and easing them inboard tames the tightest 23mm in a trice.

Verdict

Super efficient and very strong levers kind to tyres, riders and wallets.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Bike Hand long tyre levers

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"200mm long durable plastic tyre levers for plenty of leverage with tight fitting tyres".

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Unreservedly

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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