[Words by Pete Smith]
Muc-Off's Rim Stix are a solid pair of tyre levers with some neat features and perform very well across the board. They are a touch heavier and less compact than some other options though.
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Muc-Off has gone from strength to strength over recent years - whilst originally known for their lurid pink bike wash, they have since branched out into the tyre-based tool market, offering a whole host of products including the Rim Stix tyre levers here on test.
Whilst perhaps not the most glamorous or 'wishlist' of items, a good set of tyre levers is a bonafide trail essential - Muc-Off has produced a very solid and dependable tyre lever, with a couple of neat design features that help them stand out in a crowded market. The Rim Stix are made from super tough and reassuringly flex-free POM/Nylon with some nice knurled texturing for a bit of extra purchase. At 130mm in length and 60g a pair they are a tad longer and a few grams heavier than some of the competition.
The bead hook itself is engineered with a brilliant curved scoop that helps it to sneak under the tightest of beads with ease with a little recess underneath that helps to keep the lever in place. At the opposite end of the lever there's a very effectively moulded spoke holder that grasps very securely to the spokes if a second lever is required to fully unseat the tyre. Another clever touch is the inclusion of a built in valve core remover which could prove invaluable on the trail and is a thoughtful addition by Muc-Off.
Instead of the pair snapping together like most tyre levers, the Rim Stix come packaged in a sleek branded neoprene sleeve. As well as the black on test, the Rim Stix are also available in a lairy fluoro pink or green making them quick to locate in the toolbox, pack or on the forest floor!
In use, the Rim Stix proved to be a superb performer. First off, Muc-Off has done a great job with the ergonomics - the lever feels very comfortable in the hand with a nice textured thumb grip and the matt finish is less slippery than any gloss-finished levers. The cleverly designed rim hook really did allow the lever tip to pry its way under every tyre bead I tried. That inherent stiffness and extra length provides some useful extra leverage for those super stubborn set-ups and thick DH casings. Using the two levers in unison, I was able to easily unseat an exasperating ebike casing/Tannus tubeless insert combination that on previous attempts had left me with scalped knuckles and several broken levers. Impressive stuff.
This robust build does mean the Rim Stix are a little meatier than some of the competition and they take up a tad more space in the riding pack or frame strap - however unless you're an XC racer looking to shed every possible gram, it's a small price to pay for the performance and durability on offer. Also, although I do like the nifty neoprene wrap, I can see it easily going amiss during trail side puncture repairs, and I feel a simple moulding to enable them to snap together would be a better overall design in the long term.
Finally, whilst the inclusion of a moulded valve core remover is a nice touch, it's a bit of a faff to actually use. This is due to the chunky lever body not allowing room to get much of a turn in. It'll do the trick in an emergency, but certainly wouldn't replace a dedicated core remover.
There are plenty of alternatives to Muc-Off's Rim Stix including the ever-popular Pedro's levers that retail for a similar price but they come with a lifetime warranty. However, although they are visually very similar,they’re actually significantly shorter at just 100mm, so can’t quite provide the same degree of leverage as the Rim Stix -They also lack the valve core remover.
At the upper end of the market are the lightweight ultra bling 36g Silca Premio alloy core levers at a wallet-busting £19.00 if weight is the chief concern and money is no object.
In conclusion, Muc-Off has hit a home run with the Rim Stix levers. Not only are they a great performer - making light work of tight tyre beads - they feel like they'll last a lifetime thanks to their quality construction. The price is competitive and I would happily recommend the Muc-Off Rim Stix as a worthy addition to anyone's riding pack or toolbox.
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