Question 1

Can anyone comment on how this compares to the Crank Brothers "Speed Lever"?

Accepted Answer

There's a you tube display on crank brothers speed lever.  That's the only way for me to compare.  I do have the Kool Stop tire jack.  One big difference is how the force is applied to put the tire back onto the rims.  The Kool Stop is more direct; the Crank Bros is a circular motion.  The You Tube example uses a big mountain bike tire.  They should have used a more difficult tire and rim.  Mine is a carbon rim (50mm) and Continental Grand Prix 4000-S tire which is very stiff and very difficult.  Even with Kool Stop I need to inch my way to get the tire back on.  I don't see how Crank Bros lever will help me any better than Kool Stop.

Question 2

Do I need this tool and regular tire levers?

Accepted Answer

Just to further qualify the other answers: this is a tool for installing, not removing, tires. For removing tires you will need levers. It's also possible to use levers to install the tire, specifically if the tire/rim combination is especially tight, something to help pry the last few inches of the tire onto the rim. What the Kool Stop offers that a plain tire lever doesn't is resistance to pinching the tube between the tire and rim as you roll that last tight part on. I always put a small amount of pressure in the tube at this stage, whether I'm using the Kool Stop or just fitting the tire on by hand; but I've never once pinched a tube with the Kool Stop. That can't be said for a tire lever, several times I've pinched the tube and thereby created a new puncture.

Question 3

Would this tool work with the wider mountain bike tires?

Accepted Answer

I recently used it to mount 2 Specialized Armadillo Crossroads 26 inch MTB tires. It was very difficult. The tire is pretty stiff, and the tire is too wide for the tool. Hard to squeeze the tool enough to grab the tire bead. I would like to find a similar tool that worked with wider tires.

Question 4

Do I need two of these for a brand new super tight 23mm racing tire, so the tire doesn’t just slide out on one side as I push the other ‘end’ inside t

Accepted Answer

The Kool Stop doesn't "push" the tire in. It lifts it up over the rim. You do not need two of them. For really tight tires I sometimes "pin" the tire with two tire levers and lift the last really tough part of the overhanging tire up over the rim with the tire jack. For most tires the Kool Stop will be the only tool you need.

Maximum Lifting Height	11.4 Inches
Brand	Kool Stop
Color	Black
Item dimensions L x W x H	4 x 4 x 4 inches
Style	Stop Tire
Manufacturer	Kool Stop
UPC	760251097012
Global Trade Identification Number	00760251097012
Model	TL9003
Product Dimensions	4 x 4 x 4 inches
Item model number	KS-TJ
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Manufacturer Part Number	KS-TJ

Kool StopTire Bead Jack

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