Quote Originally Posted by Thorn View Post
Get thee a bead jack:
http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire.../dp/B001AYML7K

Silly looking tool, but works like a charm on tough new tires. I've never figured out the trick. On the road, I have a VAR Tyre lever. Some day that is going to break and I'm going to be in trouble.

But, for changing tires at home, the Kool Stop bead jack works like a charm even on tire/rim combinations that the bike shop said would be a PITA to install.

I got one of a those couple of summer ago -- it's great. I bring it with me on most rides now. The only time I leave it home is on organized rides with SAG support, and even then sometimes I bring it along. It's very light and it fit nicely in my old handlebar bag. Since retiring the handlebar bag last year, I usually attach it to the bottom of my seat wedge by sliding it in the elastic band that is part of the bag, although I had to add an additional elastic band around it to keep it from falling out when I hit a big bump. (It fits easily in a jersey pocket too, I just don't like having stuff in my jersey pocket.)