Retrogrouch Tool Time: Tire Jacks

Ever had that moment when putting a new tire onto a rim, and after you work the tire onto the rim all the way round, you get to the last couple inches, and no matter how hard you try, you can't get those last couple of inches of tire bead over the lip of the rim?

When that happens you want a tool known as a "Tire Jack."

Chances are, most cyclists have encountered a difficult-to-mount tire at some point or other. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why it happens. Sometimes it's the tire, sometimes it's the rim, and sometimes it's just the wrong combination of tire AND rim. Some brands or models of tires just seem to fit extra tight no matter what rims they're tried on. And one occasionally finds rims that, for whatever reason, will present a problem with any tire (a little larger in diameter than spec?). In any case, a tire jack is the tool that will safely coax those last inches of tire bead over the rim.

I've seen a couple different brands/models of tire jacks out there, but the most common one is sold by Kool-Stop, like this one here:

Interesting thing - the Kool-Stop name appears nowhere on the tool - but the name "Simson" is molded into the handle. I can only assume that is who actually manufactures the tool for Kool-Stop.

It's a simple tool that lets you apply a good deal of leverage. There is a stationary arm that ends in a "Y" shape, and a hinged arm with a hook at the end. The "Y" part braces against the rim on one side of the tire, while the "hook" part is placed under the bead on the other side, then you use the leverage of the long handle to pry the bead over the lip of the rim.

Like this:

And this:

I've had some frighteningly tight tire/rim combinations, but I've never had a tire that was so tight that I couldn't coax it onto the rim with this tool.

The Kool-Stop is a good tool to keep in the toolbox or workshop. But if you're out on the road and need to change a tire (and you know from experience it's going to be a challenge to mount), then there is a great "mini" version made by VAR that fits in the palm of your hand and can be packed easily in a saddlebag.

The VAR tire tool is pretty brilliant - consisting of a pair of tire levers for removing a tire, and a mini-version of a tire jack for getting it back on. The levers are maybe a bit too flexible to be ideal for removing a really stubborn tire, which I find to be true of most plastic levers. But the jack can be helpful in saving your thumbs when re-mounting the tire out on the road. As good as the full-size jack? Well, no -- it's only a fraction of the size, and a lot less leverage -- but it does make a difference. I have a couple of them stashed in saddlebags on different bikes.

One of the tire levers is stored in the center of the tool. As far as I know, VAR still makes these, but if you find them for sale today, expect the current production ones to be blue, not gray.

Both tools are pretty reasonably priced. The full-sized Kool-Stop tool sells for somewhere in the neighborhood of $15, and the travel-size VAR tool sells for anywhere from $10 - $20 depending on the seller, and where they're located - but it's probably the least expensive tool you'll ever get from VAR. Considering that many bike-specific tools can be awfully "spendy," these ones are a good addition to the tool collection, even if you're on a budget.