cushcore bead dropper tool..........

I just put the wheel "flat" on the ground, stand on the tyre on one side, then put my foot on the tyre at the opposite side and apply a sharp downward force. Can take a few sharp downward pushes of the foot but never fails to break the bead and hasn't damaged \ buckled the wheel ( yet 🙂 ).

Assuming you're talking about the cushcore bead dropper tyre levers, all they are is very strong tyre levers. They are a great help for getting tyres on with inserts but they don't offer help for breaking the bead part of removing tyres. They're very good for getting tyres on the wheels and in my opinion worth the money as they won't damage the rims unlike steel DH levers. I did actually manage to break one 5 days ago 🙁

suppose i could do that on the grass - wouldnt want to do it on the concrete floor and ruin my wheel though ha!

ive always managed to do it - but its a pain and not always smooth espeially when in a rush lol

suppose i could do that on the grass – wouldnt want to do it on the concrete floor and ruin my wheel though ha!

ive always managed to do it

I do it on a concrete floor with a small piece of flat wood (or plastic) under the hub.

good call - i could get a piece of wood no problem from work

if anyones actually used the tool though please report how much easier it is please?

Not easy, but at least possible. I used the kneeling on the lawn position, then used the bead dropper in a stabbing motion to break the bead and push it under the insert. Initial break was the hardest but the tool definitely makes it easier to push the bead under the insert. Once you done that most of the way round it gives enough slack to remove the tyre easily.

I'd say they're useful, they have a much better grip than a normal tyre lever but there are better ways to break the bead as above.

ok thanks folks - so not the holy grail of a quick removal i was hoping for, just basically helps in addition to the above - hardest part is gripping a standard tyre lever to push down on the bead

I fitted my cushcore (and removed it several times to reseat a leaky valve) over the weekend. I found the easiest way to get tyres on and off was to wrap a towel around tyre and just roll the far side of the tyre off the rim towards me, rotate tyre and repeat.
Getting the bead into the wheel well was done by holding the wheel perpendicular and vertical to me, flattening the tyre, pushing it to the far side of the rim, then rolling the tyre/cushcore back towards me, and pushing the bead down into the well with fingers. Then just work your way around the tyre until its all in the middle. Using a towel helps you to grip the tyre and not end up with sealant-y hands.
Using the above method I fitted, removed and refitted the tyres probably 4 times in 45 mins. No tyre levers necessary.
If that makes no sense, dm me and I might be able to make a quick video demonstration.

I have an old light bicycle rim and the only way I can pop the bead with the rimpact inserted is with a garden spade!

I have an old light bicycle rim

😀 They are extremely good at keeping a bead in place aren’t they. Not resorted to a garden spade yet but I can imagine doing so if there were one within arms reach

This worked for me, though I did wear a thick gardening glove to spread the pain 

Soapy water !

Put your tyre lever in a old grip and save yourself 20 quid.

The bead dropper is much more for getting tyres on than off and for that it's extremely useful. I still find removal is an absolute b*stard sometimes, depending on tyre/rim combo. A bench vice on the tyre has worked for me in the past when things have been terminal. The stand on it technique never works for me when I have an insert in.

I wander how long it'll be before someone adapts a Rabaconda for MTB use.

https://rabaconda.com/

Put your tyre lever in a old grip and save yourself 20 quid.

OK, you know I'm gonna try this now. Better not be a joke.