Two summers ago my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting friends in Switzerland. The country is so expensive that I took home only two souvenirs: white Assos socks and a pair of Lezyne tyre levers. I assumed Lezyne was a European company. It was in this Swiss bike shop and I’d never seen the brand in an American store, ever. “Ewwww, exotic Swiss tire levers, I can afford these.” The levers were white “composite matrix” with a natty neoprene sleeve but really I bought them because I could fit them in my luggage and they were affordable ($4 US). Switzerland wisely (for them) never joined the EU but the Swiss franc makes buying swag painful. As a side note, the Assos socks are really well made. They look a tad less white now but have retained their essential Assos sock essence in every other respect.
Two years on and these levers have earned and kept the coveted number one position in my mobile rear pocket man-sachel. They are superior levers. Their hook design works better than levers made by Park, Pedros or King. I haven’t tried the Mavics Bretto has revered. I don’t know what the “composite matrix” is but it is strong as hell. Should it be so hard, designing an effective tyre lever? These are like medical instruments. Nurse, Lezyne tyre lever please. The thinness and specific curve of the bead hook makes these the levers used atop Mt Velomis.
Michelin tyres and Campagnolo rims (my favorite pairing) are at opposite ends of the clincher fit tolerances. They are wicked tight, harder to get off and on than the recently abandoned tubeless Hutchinsons. No other levers so easily get under the Michelin bead and take the horrible strain like these Lezynes do.
Sitting on the edge of the road in Kuala Lumpur, sweat pouring down your face as you bend to the task of switching inner-tubes, the sounds of snapping stalks from the jungle getting closer. Do you want the best tyre levers in your sweaty trembly hands? For you tubular riders, these might be excellent for husking that punctured tyre off the rim. At 26 grams, it would not be a bad bet. Hell, if you have to defend yourself against the enraged Malaysian monkey, a mini-pump in one hand and an unbreakable Lezyne medical instrument in the other might work out for you.
There, I’ve gone and done it. I’ve written an article singing the praises of a tyre lever and I can’t stop spelling tyre with a “y”. It’s what we do here. We obsess.
Disclaimer: Velominati has a friendly relationship with Lezyne and we have received some very well designed and well executed products of theirs, as have Keepers Tour riders from the 2012 Belgian love-fest. As I stated at the begining of this post, I bought these tyre tools when I didn’t know the first thing about the company. I admit that I was so impressed by their tyre levers I was inclined to try more of their products but my dirty Schleck love for these levers is not influenced by our relationship with Lezyne.
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Mixed views on this one...I bought their puncture patch kit which I think is fabulous...especially because it even contains a tyre boot in case you shred your tyre. However on second use one of the levers snapped....completely failed.
This is a brilliantly designed item so I was really disappointed. The good news is that I bought it from my LBS. I took it back to them and they sent it off to Lezyne who immediately issued instructions to give me a new one, so I can't fault the company...maybe I just had a duff one.
@frank
Which reminds me - "lever" rhymes with "fever" not "ever"
That was a good lil' read on something which seems so benign. A timely article for these seeking xmas stocking filler inspiration.
On English, well I grew up in Canada, so my colleagues at work seem to expect me to speak and write like a 'murican, as they think they are similar (which is of course utter tosh, like saying Scots and English are the same) however, I dont dissapoint them, so liberally sprinkle my reports with 'murican spellings and of course I write the date the other way round. That said, the 'murican date is lazier as it uses less words to say ('December 25th' as opposed to the laborious 'the 25th of December' )
@the Engine
Rarely has a lay up cross in to the box been quite so perfect.... He shoots....he scores!
@ChrisO
Clearly! Thanks for the info ChrisO
@Beers I had two teachers pivotal for my English, one Italian with strong British roots and the other was an American opera singer from Seattle, still love them both.
@Deakus
Are the levers that come with the kit the same as the levers you buy on their own?
@strathlubnaig
Hell, I was talking to a wummin on the phone yesterday. I'm from just outside Glasgow (Bishopton) and she asked me if I was Canadian. WTF? I mean to say, I've been over in the midwest for 22 years but I'm pretty sure I don't sound like I'm Canadian. Mind you, I do live in Wisconsin which is kinda close to Canada.
@the Engine
"Fever" and "ever" don't rime?
@Gianni
are you in KL? My time somewhere in S. Germany is almost up and I am likely heading out to the far east next. With my bike :-) I'd be grateful for a heads up if you have the time.