Brake levers?

Ahh so swearing at them, twisting them to buggery and using brute force is not the optimum way to apply? Must have read the instructions wrong :)

Thanks for the top tip, have another lever on it's way, so will try the screwdriver way!

Get a big screwdriver (or spoon/knife etc) wrap the 'action' end in a tea towel to prevent it scratching the lever in anyway - completely remove the clamp bolt - insert the screwdriver into the gap and gently prise open, you only need to put 2 or 3 millimetres of extra space for them to go on fairly easily.

You may not be bothered that much, but I also filed the outer edges of the clamp so they were rounded and not sharp.