It took me a couple of quick attempts to get the hang of it, but wow what a great tool. What used to take up to 5-10 minutes with frustration, scraped knuckles and a few choice words now is really easy. Brand new tires on some of the newer rims can be a real pain, but now I can save time and no longer bleed occasionally. The size of the tool does not lend itself to take on rides but most of my tire rotations, installations are done at home as I don't wait to replace tires once I see signs of ware.
This product is probably good for tires that are not more than 1.75 width. Bought it for my 2.00 tires and it could not accommodate the tire size. Was disappointed that I could not use it. Hopefully the manufacturer will make one that can work for larger width tires.
Recently, I purchased some new Zipp wheels that made mounting tires, like the Gatorskins, extremely difficult . I am a 54 year old female with sort of small hands, but I've always changed my tires myself. When I got the new wheel set I was frustrated that I couldn't get the darn things on. (The last bit was a @#$*&!) However, this tire bead jack made it possible for me to mount them! It took a bit for me to figure it out, but I'm grateful to have this guy!
Tires seem to be getting harder to mount, and I ruined a tire earlier this year trying to coax it onto the rim. I swore never again.
Searched the reviews, settled on the Kool Stop. Changed 4 tires (two different bikes) - 2 gravel tires and 2 road tires. Super fast, super easy. I'm sold.
Simple, (reasonably) cheap, it works. Wish everything else was like this.
This tool is amazingly simple to use but it does take some muscle. The first time I used this on a really difficult-to-mount tire/rim, I was thinking "this tool is surely going to break" under the force needed to mount the tire... but it is built very well, didn't even flex and popped the tire on the rim. I've used it several times since and it makes this task so much easier. My thumbs are thankful!
This tool really helps with mounting 20 inch trike tires. I have no issues mounting larger tires on my bicycles but the 20 inch tires arent near as flexible. This tool isn't perfect but it does help get them on the rims.
I discovered this simple, elegant, effective tool after struggling way too many times to mount road bike tires. This makes it simple. I strap it to my second bottle cage, or store in jersey pocket when commuting and touring. Highly recommend.
If you've EVER struggled with getting a tire on your rim this would have solved your problem and saved your thumbs.
I broke 3 tire levers before breaking down and buying this item. The difference is unbelievable!
In my case I was using Vittoria Randonneur tires on a bontrager rim. I know some tires are very easy to fit on the same rims but I don't have those and had gotten quite used to the tires I had. I had also struggled before with the same tire but got over it. I didn't know there was such a gadget.
While not the smallest item its not too big to strap under your saddle. I won't leave home without it cos changing a tire in the rain is no fun. Changing in the searing heat is no fun. Now I don't worry about it.
Mounted tries for over 40 year, but jut could not get this tire on. Thought I would try this tool. It's not perfect. However to be fair int might have been operator error. This was a particularly tight bead on a vintage rim. Tool kept slipping off bead as I struggled with the last six inches, but only if i tried to lift too much bead over trim wall at one time. Going inch by inch it worked although the bead itself kept crawling off opposite where I was lifting on. Fixed that by jamming another tire lever in to stop the bead from coming off. Glad to have it in the toolbox.
I started installing my own tubeless tires this year. Because of the tight fit I struggled to get the last bit over the rim edge. With the Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack its like having an extra hand using the lever action to pull the tire up. I install gravel tires onto standard rims and Continental 5000 TL, onto my Bontrager XXX 4s. I use a combination of 2 plastic tire levers and the tire jack to get the last bit.
With 2-way fit rims, I always struggled to install new tires. Occasionally, I would pinch the new tube and have to remove and reinstall the tire. Since I got the Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack I have not had any problems - installation is now relatively easy. One of my best purchases.
Many older vintage wheel owners will find this VERY useful. Most newer rims are less an issue, requiring only fingers/ or levers. BUT, I couldnt be rolling my new gatorskins on a set of matirx wheels without this tool. A+++
It took three 60+yr old women to put on an impossibly tight new schwalbe tire (yes, even us oldsters still think we should be able to do this without paying a shop). This tool gave this little old lady the ability to change her own tire.
