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.

ASIN	B001AYML7K
Best Sellers Rank	#58,193 in Automotive ( See Top 100 in Automotive ) #300 in Automotive Tire Repair Tools
Brand Name	Kool Stop
Color	Black
Compatible with Vehicle Type	Car, Truck
Global Trade Identification Number	00760251097012
Included Components	Pair or break
Item Dimensions	10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2 centimeters
Item Highlight	The Rim
Item Type Name	KOOL STOP TIRE BEAD JACK
Item Weight	0.19 Pounds
Load Capacity	2.2E+2 Pounds
Manufacturer	Kool Stop
Manufacturer Part Number	KS-TJ
Material Type	Alloy Steel
Maximum Lifting Height	11.4 Inches
Model Number	KS-TJ
Number of Items	1
Style Name	Stop Tire
UPC	760251097012
Unit Count	1.0 Count

Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack, Black

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