Last Updated on April 1, 2023 by FAB Jim The Cyclist
Do you hate changing road bike tires? Do your fingers get all sore after you have wrestled the bead onto the rim? Do you pinch the tube when you use tire levers? Well then, I have a great tire installation tool for you. The Kool Stop tire bead jack! This thing is like a super tire lever. Much easier to use and no chance of pinching the tube. I don’t know where this thing has been my whole life, but glad I got one now. Check it out:
This is the best bike tire installation tool
And of course, it’s good for all bike tires including road, mountain, hybrid… Any time you need to get that last bit of bead up over the rim. It is made from a strong nylon type plastic and about 9” long. Plenty long enough that it gives lots of leverage to get that bead on. Also, small enough to fit in some bike bags. This thing is even made in the USA.
I think we all dread getting that last little bit of bead over the rim. My fingers are a little sore just thinking about it.
Here are the instructions that come with the tool:
One side sits on the rim and the tool grabs the bead you need to pull up and it goes right on:
This video is of the second tire I installed today. The first tire went on so easy I had it done too fast for filming. Was playing around to make sure I did everything right and pop it was on. Here it is in action:
Must have bicycle tool for tires
Save your fingers and get yours today at Amazon:
Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack, Black – AMAZON
The price likely moves around a little, but mine was only $13. A steal of a price for saving my fingers.
We give this great product a rating of a full 5 gnomes! Should have bought it years ago.
A very good tool to have.
Thank you
Thanks! I once swore by the Crank Brothers Speed Lever – it worked great until it broke. It has been discontinued and I think that is why. It worked great on marginally tough to install tires and broke on actually tough to install tires. After I broke two of them I went back to traditional levers but always wondered when a better one would come along. It looks like you have found it.
I’ll be surprised if this one breaks.
So awesome you’ve showcased this! Have you tried it on wider tires? It looks like it might be too narrow a claw if my tires are 2.4″-2.5″…
I have not yet. I usually have less trouble with mountain tires than road. Reading the questions on Amazon it looks like some people have gotten it to work with mountain tires and others have not.
I have one myself, for getting difficult tires onto my carbon fiber wheels. I don’t need it much, anymore, now that I learned a few tricks on how to seat a tight tire on a difficult wheel. Still, it’s come in handy a time or two. Nice post.
Thanks. It’s nice for those tires you really need it for.
I wonder whether you it it would work if you shorten the handle to put it in a saddle bag
Well it is really easy at the full length so it might still work but just require a little more strength.