[Words by Pete Smith]

Muc-Off’s Rim Stix are a solid pair of tyre levers with some neat features and perform very well across the board. They are a touch heavier and less compact than some other options though.

Muc-Off has gone from strength to strength over recent years – whilst originally known for their lurid pink bike wash, they have since branched out into the tyre-based tool market, offering a whole host of products including the Rim Stix tyre levers here on test.

2022 muc off rim stix collection.jpg
2022 muc off rim stix collection (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Whilst perhaps not the most glamorous or ‘wishlist’ of items, a good set of tyre levers is a bonafide trail essential – Muc-Off has produced a very solid and dependable tyre lever, with a couple of neat design features that help them stand out in a crowded market. The Rim Stix are made from super tough and reassuringly flex-free POM/Nylon with some nice knurled texturing for a bit of extra purchase. At 130mm in length and 60g a pair they are a tad longer and a few grams heavier than some of the competition.

2022 muc off rim stix spoke hook.jpg
2022 muc off rim stix spoke hook (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

The bead hook itself is engineered with a brilliant curved scoop that helps it to sneak under the tightest of beads with ease with a little recess underneath that helps to keep the lever in place. At the opposite end of the lever there’s a very effectively moulded spoke holder that grasps very securely to the spokes if a second lever is required to fully unseat the tyre. Another clever touch is the inclusion of a built in valve core remover which could prove invaluable on the trail and is a thoughtful addition by Muc-Off.

Instead of the pair snapping together like most tyre levers, the Rim Stix come packaged in a sleek branded neoprene sleeve. As well as the black on test, the Rim Stix are also available in a lairy fluoro pink or green making them quick to locate in the toolbox, pack or on the forest floor!

2022 muc off rim stix action.jpg
2022 muc off rim stix action (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
2022 muc off rim stix action.jpg, by Liam Mercer

In use, the Rim Stix proved to be a superb performer. First off, Muc-Off has done a great job with the ergonomics – the lever feels very comfortable in the hand with a nice textured thumb grip and the matt finish is less slippery than any gloss-finished levers. The cleverly designed rim hook really did allow the lever tip to pry its way under every tyre bead I tried. That inherent stiffness and extra length provides some useful extra leverage for those super stubborn set-ups and thick DH casings. Using the two levers in unison, I was able to easily unseat an exasperating ebike casing/Tannus tubeless insert combination that on previous attempts had left me with scalped knuckles and several broken levers. Impressive stuff.

This robust build does mean the Rim Stix are a little meatier than some of the competition and they take up a tad more space in the riding pack or frame strap – however unless you’re an XC racer looking to shed every possible gram, it’s a small price to pay for the performance and durability on offer. Also, although I do like the nifty neoprene wrap, I can see it easily going amiss during trail side puncture repairs, and I feel a simple moulding to enable them to snap together would be a better overall design in the long term.

2022 muc off rim stix valve core remover.jpg
2022 muc off rim stix valve core remover (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Finally, whilst the inclusion of a moulded valve core remover is a nice touch, it’s a bit of a faff to actually use. This is due to the chunky lever body not allowing room to get much of a turn in. It’ll do the trick in an emergency, but certainly wouldn’t replace a dedicated core remover.

There are plenty of alternatives to Muc-Off’s Rim Stix including the ever-popular Pedro’s levers that retail for a similar price but they come with a lifetime warranty. However, although they are visually very similar,they’re actually significantly shorter at just 100mm, so can’t quite provide the same degree of leverage as the Rim Stix -They also lack the valve core remover.

At the upper end of the market are the lightweight ultra bling 36g Silca Premio alloy core levers at a wallet-busting £19.00 if weight is the chief concern and money is no object.

In conclusion,  Muc-Off has hit a home run with the Rim Stix levers. Not only are they a great performer – making light work of tight tyre beads – they feel like they’ll last a lifetime thanks to their quality construction. The price is competitive and I would happily recommend the Muc-Off Rim Stix as a worthy addition to anyone’s riding pack or toolbox.

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Test report Muc-Off Rim Stix tyre lever review £5.50

Tools – portable

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