I swapped the Ritchey wheels on my rockhopper because the tyres were so tight I ripped the sidewall on a tyre trying to get it back on after a puncture repair. I wasn't even using levers I pulled the bead out with my thumbs trying to stretch it over. I'd already snapped a plastic lever and bent a metal one. Luckily I was off the trail and found a second hand shop. The only thing they had in that would do the job was a massive straining spoon with a flat handle. Felt like I was changing a tyre with a crowbar but it went on.
Seriously though old cutlery makes an excelent tyre lever. Old spoons the likes of which were found in your nan's kitchen work better than any tyre lever I've used. Apart from the strainer but fitting a pair of 18" spoons in my seat bag is a bit much.
