Used by mechanics in bicycle workshops, the American-made Tyre Mate promises to pull the tightest of tyre beads over a rim without causing any damage to the tube, tyre or rim. It’s lightweight and small enough to carry with you.
According to the guys at the London Bike Kitchen, who sell the Tyre Mate for £17, “Just position the tool’s rigid arm on the rim behind the part of the tyre that needs pulling on, then reach the hinged arm over to grab the bead. Use leverage to pull the bead onto the rim. So easy.”
“Great for people who have arthritis, weak hands, or are interested in speed over pride. Ain’t no shame in this game.”
Here’s how to do it the old-fashioned way.
Win a Tyre Mate
We have a Kool Stop Tyre Mate to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave a message at the bottom of the page and we’ll pick a name out of the hat next week.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, travel insurance, breakdown cover and home insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
Ema
Wow this is really good and would make my life easier then changing the tube.
Chris Johnson
Looks better than the supposedly-indestructable one I’ve just broken!
Lance Woodman
What a great device
Steve K
Looks like a really useful tool …
Anne
A great idea and makes a fiddly job much more tolerable
Carol W
Ooh wonder if it would work with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres on a Brompton. My thumbs shudder when I think about replacing them 😄
steve
Awesome! No more ‘tired’ and bloody fingers!
Darron
For someone who struggles with puncture repairs this would be an absolute godsend.
Richard Scrase
Appliance of science – yes please – I keep bending my little tyre levers
Julie
My son keeps getting punctures and I struggle to get the tyre off every time. Yes please!
Philip Benson
Makes it look easy!
David Williamson
I have really struggled with some tyres – this looks great for the job, and especially when it’s cold
Keith Graham
A perfect mate for my arthritic hands!
Vic Kearley
Gripping stuff!
Russ Taylor
Could use this in my work shop. Especially good for those tight racing tyres!
Peter Clark
No more thumbs like Dwayne Johnson!
Alastair Seagroatt
I would love to give this a try, having just turned 72 today I’m finding it harder to mend punctures, especially on cold Scottish winter days. I would love to see if this would help.
Dave Brabants
It will save my arthritic hand from getting really painful when changing tyres. It used to be easy and this should get me back to being able to do it myself and not needing help
Lesley Walton
Here is a woman of a certain age with feeble hands and a liking for cycle touring. Yes please!!
Bill
Perhaps it might encourage my wife to try and fix her own punctures if it’s as easy as it looks….? Fingers crossed.
Terry John Smith
What a MATE to have with you when you get a puncture.
Roger Sewell
I could of used it two days ago on a back wheel puncture, instead I had to use three desert spoons.
Matthew farr
Looks a great product, would like to buy a few if we can try 1 first 👍
Matt – NipNip
Huw Thomas
Brilliant, Save my thumbs on marathons !
Eli
Didn’t know such a thing existed – great device!
sara garside
Wow!!
Does this mean no more ripping of the skin between thumb and nail, trying to put on schwalbe marathons. And that’s two of us, we’re such rubbish.
Excellent, please pick us.
Thanks
james
Sounds an excellent product would love to have one
Mike G
Cool tool! (somebody had to say it) yes please, Especially useful for those Marathon Plus tyres!
Chris Bromwich
The extra leverage makes this look like a really useful tool, especially for those that are ageing and have less grip than they used to have.
Graham Corfield
Wow what an amazing tool, just the job to ease my old hands!!
robert p Griffiths-garrod
I need this – some of my tyres are really tight on their rims
Brian D
As someone who changed an inner tube yesterday this would have been a real help.
Jonathan Hunt
Great idea! Would be a very useful addition.
Andy
Could mean curse-free tyre changing
Xhris
Looks like a brilliant solution for some devilish tyres
Kevin Morris
Never win anything but this would help me believe we all get lucky sometime, where can you buy it.
Richard Newman
MY tyres definitely need a mate!
Stephen
I’d really love to give one of these a go on my commuting bike. I’ve gone for Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and dread having to remove them!!
Gillian
I’ve watched some helpful videos on how to remove difficult tyres, but even with a refined technique, repairing a puncture in my Conti Gatorskins is a painful job. This looks like a wonderful tool!
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲😍
nick
having broken numerous plastic bars doing this i’d love one.
Jim Woodlingfield
Do love the marathon plus tyres but the last time I replaced them it took three days to get the feeling back in my thumbs…
MARK
I reckon the manufacturers of these challenging tyres are in cahoots with this tool manufacturer! Just kidding, but the tool looks FABULOUS.
Ria
I would love one as I have no strength
peter tremain
What a Tool! I mean that’s very useful.
Peter Chisnall
Gripping!
Greg
Help at hand for horrid hassles
Stevo
schwalbe should supply one of these with their tyres!!
🤗
Fred
Help for my arthritic thumbs
Jane
I would love one of these. I’ve ripped the skin off my thumbs in the past or had to drop by my local bike shop and plead with the guys there to finish replacing the tyre. It’s so embarrassing…
Mike Croker
Thumb relief!
Iain Shanks
I could do with one of these – save my poor thumbs
Mark Bobbitt
I’ve been changing tyres all my life and my hands are strong but there are some tyres that have snapped levers and left my fingers sore so I would love to give one of these a try.
Rory Harkins
That looks really useful
Craig
I wonder if these can cope with all widths of tyres? I guess so. Super idea.
Thanks to ETA for the opportunity.
Pamela
No more sore fingers and broken tyre levers!