Almost anyone who rides a bike has experienced a flat tire at one time or another. A current essential in any tire changing toolkit, multiple tire levers are not all that easy to use, especially if you are a novice cyclist. A new tool aims to do away with tire levers and instead leverage the use of your bike to quickly and easily remove a flat tire.
The Cobra Tire Tool was designed by Jim Walls who has worked in his family-owned tire franchise for many years. As modern tire changing machines make removing car tires so simple, he thought there had to be a way to apply the concept to bike tires.
Bicycle tires are currently pried off the rim using multiple tire levers, a hundred year old method that is not simple for everyone. By utilizing the spin of your tire to do all the work, the Cobra Tire Tool enables you to remove your tire from the rim in 1-2 seconds, without the need for any strength.
The Cobra Tire Tool weighs just half an ounce, making it easy to throw in your jersey pocket, pack, or saddle bag. The tool is made from a combination of rugged nylon and fiberglass, so won't scratch your bike frame or tire rim.
Once you have the new inner tube back in place, the Cobra Tire Tool can be used to help get your tire back onto the rim. Simply hook the tool under the rim as you did to take it off, then turn it over to use as a push tool.
The Cobra Tire Tool retails for $6 and can be purchased on the website. A mountain bike specific tire tool will be coming soon.