Customer Reviews

Park Tool TL-1 Tire Lever (Pack of 3)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have a number of bikes and each bike's toolbag is outfitted with a pair of these levers.

HINT: Buy two packs of these levers and you'll have enough for three bikes!

They have worked almost without exception to enable flat fixes and tire change outs while in the garage or on the road. (The one exception was when trying to install 700x27, yes 27, Panaracer wire beads onto a Shimano 540 wheelset for cyclocross - then I had to resort to the big boys - the beefy man-sized metal Park TL-5s)

HINT: These levers, unlike the TL-4s, have a very useful feature. See those hooks on the end? Nope, they're not for gutting fish on the pier or for cleaning out field fowl after shot-gunning in the cornfield - use them to hook onto a nearby spoke after levering a portion of the tire off your wheel's rim - very, very handy as a third hand!

These levers are a rare bargain and a standout example of quality and utility in today's corncucopia of cheap import tools - get a pair for your kit or bag!

Context: I ride about 120 miles a week and spend much of my free time repairing/refurbishing/building bicycles.

I love these tire levers because they are plenty sturdy enough, and most importantly, small and lightweight. I have a set of the CrankBros steel ones(which are AWESOME), but I don't ride with them because they're obnoxiously big and heavy. These lil guys fit into a tiny top bar-mounted pack meant for gelpacks --- along with a multi tool, a patch kit, and a squirt gun :)

As someone noted above, they may break or bend on high-tension wheels -- he mentioned 23x700s, and I've found the same to be true on my Contis as well. I've done tons of work on kids' bikes, and that is usually the only other situation when one of these levers bends or breaks. (Stripping little kids' bike tires is a PITA!!!)

But for general usage, these can not be beat. I am just now replacing a set I've had for several months (and as you might tell, I use them a LOT) and that's because I handed them off to a friend who had a blowout near my neighborhood. I'm doubling up on my order, actually.

I bought these due to the Park Tools reputation.
They worked well on wider tires (MTB). Unfortunately they don't work on the Continental Ultra Gatorskin 23 x 700C tires on my road bike.

The spoke hooks on two of the levers broke off after a few uses; the end used for prying the tires off have bent backwards, making them completely useless. Granted, these tires are incredibly difficult to install and remove. However, I expected a Park Tools product to be up to the challenge.

The only tool that works on my Continental tires is the Crank Brothers speed lever.

As a wheelchair user, I have a tendency to get flats every so often. And it's a whole lot cheaper, and convenient, learning how to change them yourself than to go to a bike shop every time. I've been making do in the past using things like flathead screwdrivers to take the tires off, but the metal has definitely caused damage to my rims over the years. Not to mention the fear of having the screwdriver itself tear a whole into the inner tube (in situations where you're just repairing, and not replacing).

My fear when I picked these up were that they wouldn't hold up against the tension of my wheelchair road tires, but having finally had occasion to use these a few months back, I can happily say they did their job, and held up admirably.

I recently started commuting by bike and wanted to get set up with all the usual emergency tools a good cyclist carries with them, so I got a set of tire levers. I've used these on two road flats and on some neighbors flat tires and I will say they work as advertised.

The thing is I've gotten so good at changing tires with just my hands that I don't use these any more. Guess I'll save 'em in case I ever encounter a really tough to remove or install tire, but honestly, so far I haven't met a 26" tire or a 700 series tire I couldn't remove/install by hand.

Watch a few You Tube videos on changing tires by hand and you may decide to save yourself the $5 and not purchase these. If you do decide you need tire levers, I've seen a set of Pedro's Tire Levers that look thicker and more durable than these for less money. I would buy those before buying these. ;-)

These are junk. They will bend on the first tire that gives you trouble. Get the yellow Pedro'sPedro's Bicycle Tire Lever (Pair) ones instead.

After buying the TL-1's I quickly had flats on the tube inside. Traced this back to the pointed end of the TL-1's. It's easy to side the point under the tire edge, so easy that you go too far and catch some of the tube and pinch it. The point also concentrates the force increasing the chance of that pinch creating a hole.

Have dicarded the Tl-1's and gone to levers that are flat across the top.

I've got 2-3 different types of tire levers that I've picked over the years. I always reach for these.

The end you use to lever the tire on/off is thinner and nicely curved. Compared to the others it works much better.

I see some have said these aren't strong enough but I've had no issues with my 700x25 road tires. These aren't even stressed on my MTB.

This is a perfect little set of tire levers. Fits in your pack easily. Hook ends to lock into place on spoke for stubborn tires and when you want to get the job done quickly.

this tool works well for bike tires and easily adjusts the tire on or off of the rim. This tool was excellent for the desired application and is constructed of heavy grade plastic. This tool is quite durable and will be around for many years to come.