Best tire levers

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About 1 year ago I bought a set of Bell plastic tire levers from Wallymart. They worked slick maybe 7 times. Then I broke the end that goes under the bead of one like a week ago. Today, the second lever feels like its made of rubber (or Taffy) and they are useless. I know WM junk!:banghead: But whats a better alternative?
 
I have an old,old set of Kameapart type store irons that are made out of steel. I use the plastic ones to slide around taking a tire off and the steel ones for everything else. They have been bent many times and I just straighten them out. I keep breaking the plastic ones, but replace them for the above purpose. Everything at the local level is total junk now a days, except at the bike shops. Even then you should buy the professional grade. I have ruined my Park Tool pedal wrench, get the heavy duty professional one as we deal with old bikes that are rust welded beyond what a normal bike enthusiast deals with. Now a days its junk, kinda good OK stuff or really good stuff.
 
Plastic and nylon levers are pretty much disposable, but at least they're cheap. The metal core Park and Soma ones do last longer, but you won't be handing them down to your grandchildren! ;)

I prefer the basic narrow rectangular ones, no matter the brand or material. I know some like the old school metal style and I'm sure somebody will swear by Quickstiks or some other funky shape, but I've never warmed up to any of those...
 
The steel core levers work the best for me, although in the ancient long ago I used spoons stolen from the dining hall. They actually worked OK.
 
I tend to use the cheap plastic ones, my rationale being that i'd rather break the levers (or my knuckles) than damage the rim. I think I'm going to give the PArk steel-cores a shot when i buy my next set, though....
 

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