How to Make a Shift Bike Tire Lever

"Shift" bikes are any bicycles that use gears and shifters. Like most bicycles, many shift bikes have wheels that use inner tubes between the tire and rim. Working on the tires and rims requires a special tool called a tire lever. Tire levers may be plastic or metal and have a slight bend on one side. The bend is used to pry under the rubber tire and remove it from the rim. If you wish to save a little money make your own tire levers.

Things You'll Need

  • Bench vise
  • Hacksaw
  • Old hacksaw blades
  • Metal files
  • Vise grips
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place an old hacksaw blade into a bench vise so 6 inches are sticking out of the jaws. Use the hacksaw to cut the old blade off at the 6-inch mark.

    • 2

      Remove the blade part in the vise and place the 6-inch piece into the vise with the teeth facing up. File down the saw teeth so the 6-inch piece is smooth on both edges. Remove from the vise.

    • 3

      Place the 6-inch piece into the vise so 1 inch is facing up and out of the vise jaws. Grip the very tip of the piece sticking out with vise grips.

    • 4

      Apply pressure to the end of the metal piece by pulling down on the vise grips. Bend the tip of the lever at the 1/2 inch mark. Bend so there is a curve to the tip.

    • 5

      Remove from the vise and wrap the non-curve end in two to three wraps of duct tape. Use the duct tape end as the handle.