defintive tyre lever list

[Whealie]

OK, so if I wanted to put together a kit for changing tyres/mending punctures, what would people recommend went into it?
Basically I don't want to be stuck up a foreign mountain trying to call a breakdown service in a language I can't speak. Neither do I want to wait three hours for the AA when I'm only 15 minutes from the M25 (which actually happened).
Specifically,
1. how many levers?
2. what length?
3. Any particular brands/shapes?
4. Tyre soap or washing-up liquid?
5. gas cannisters or plug-in air pump?
6. puncture repair kit of carry spare tube?
7. Which tube - brand/type/size?
8. Bead breaker - any recommendations?
9. Slime (or similar) - yes/no, which brand?
10. Anything else I should consider?

To get you started, these people http://www.toolspot.co.uk/category/tyre-levers are selling 300mm tyre levers for £3. Would I be better off spending more or buying longer one (I like the idea of shorter ones for storage but not if I'm going to struggle to do the job).

[squirrelciv]

My choices would be;

1) 2 levers as long as possible, mine have different shapes at either end.
2) don't worry about a bead breaker, just sit on it and ride a while, they'll soon come of the rim
3) washing up liqiud cos its cheap (yes I know it can effect alloy rims)
4) punture repair kit cos my dommie has different size wheels and I wouldn't want to carry two tubes.
5) plug in pump cos if you cock it up, you can have a few goes.

Other things might be a ring spanner to fit the spindle as its easier to do this with the wheel out. Also you might consider a pivot jack if you don't have a centre stand (very clever device that lifts the back end up using the swing arm and side stand) While your at it, why not chuck in a spare valve and an extractor?

Can't comment on slime sorry. I put some in for my end 2 end run but as yet haven't had a puncture to test it (touching rather large chunk of oak) Was a bit of a pain when testing tyre pressures though as it leaked out the valve.

[Slimie]

Just, just changed my tyres!!

Buzzetti levers are great, they have a little lip that makes it much harder to nip the tube.

Tyre soap, I got a litre from a guy on fleabay for about £6. Makes it much easier.

I used a pick axe handle and a piece of 4x2 to break the bead but I don't plan on carrying either! Handle as a lever to push the short 4x2 onto the tyre to break the bead. The front tyre I just stood on, easy!

Gonna have to get some new tubes as I used my spares to replace the sh*te that was in the tyres.

Haven't had a chance to ride yet so I don't know if any balancing will be needed, left the weights from last time on the wheel.

I'd love to know what patches and glue (if any) people are carrying, or aerosols, or Slime or whatever.

Good thread, Whealie!!

Cheers
-Simon