Available in a choice of red, blue or black, the secret to these Tacx levers is good, ergonomic design. There's no gimmicks, and no clever marketing: just reliable and inexpensive performance. Supplied in sets of three, their banana profile might raise eyebrows but is surprisingly effective compared with traditional models and makes short work of stubborn rubber.
Measuring 13x2cms, their stout, curvaceous profile fits comfortably in the palm while a pronounced lip burrows easily beneath the tyre bead, allowing it to be eased from the tightest of rims. Using my benchmark and notoriously difficult XC tyre /downhill rim combination, I only required two levers and while it took plenty of force they lifted the bead without fuss - this combination has snapped a resin coated steel set clean in two.
It took a record seven and twelve seconds respectively to remove a 26X1.5 and a 700X20. The sculpted design means they lock neatly together Lego fashion, ending the days of finding stray levers at the bottom of a pannier or seat pack.
While you wouldn’t pray to the God of blowouts for more aggressive flints and thorns, I could use these all day in the comfort of the workshop and depend upon them for speedy roadside repair.
Verdict
Well designed, modestly priced tyre levers
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Tacx Tyre levers (set of 3)
Size tested: n/a
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?
A set of three tyre tyre levers designed for removing any wired on tyre. They are extremely proficient regardless of the tyre/rim combination.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Reinforced plastic with an ergonomic banana shape, fitting very naturally in the hand and offering surprising degrees of leverage with nominal flex.
Unlikely to break under normal conditions, or indeed, moderate abuse.
They passed my XC tyre/downhill rim test with flying colours-enough said.
Look unusual but very, very comfortable-even after continuous use.
Great product at a no-nonsense price.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
No tyre in my fleet thwarted these- effortless roadside removal only equalled by Speed Lever types.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Ergonomic, tactile shape.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Unreservedly
About the tester
Age: 35 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)