Tyre Removal (rating)
 

Just had a set of Avon Distanzias fitted recently and they were both tight to get on especially the rear and this was at the garage were i had to end up helping the guy get it on! The tyres for road going purposes are great but it was clear that although i carry equipment to change punctures, there would be no chance of doing this roadside if we could barely achieve it with the tyre machine, I am currently planning a trip into Spain and maybe Morocco and i want to know which off-road biased tyres are readily changeable should the inevitable puncture happen, i would appreciate your input on this, the TKC80s spring to mind as a few have used them but im looking for definitive answers based on changing them yourselves at roadside.
Cheers
Steve

You've said it yourself, the TKC's are the way to go.

Changing at the roadside is straightforward and easy with the TKC's. I've found that the more road bias they are, the bigger pigs they are!

I've managed to refit the tyre on the front without levers when it's been warm.

As a general rule, I only ever use the kit I carry to change tyres, even at home. Practise Practise Practise.... as someone once said to me

I had a flat this past weekend and the practice I had the last three times were a blessing

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/y...ders/014-7.jpg

The small compressor was useless

The centrestand is a MUST

Prior to our Moroccan trip last year we swapped the original Sirac's for TKC's.

Although we had workshop facilities available, the rules of engagement were to do it by hand using the tools we would take with us.

By far the most difficult task was breaking the bead of the original Sirac's.

We never did get to try removing the TKC's at the roadside as we did not suffer the misfortune of a puncture, but I suspect that having a puncture while riding would probably help break the bead!

... and definitely fit a centre stand!

Yes....

or a sturdy pannier you can sit the bike on

Just a quick note to echo the other replies. Road biased tyres always seem to be tighter on the bead. I can only conclude that they are all tubeless at heart regardless of tyre wall markings. I have changed TKC's on the forecourt of a petrol station, and on a back road in France and also on Salisbury Plain with the tools carried and no issues other than getting a bit sweaty. Agree with centre stand comment. I have not got one and spend long periods looking for logs for under the belly pan when puntures occur. Also agree with comment re breaking the bead. When changing the tyre at home its a pig, But after a rolling punture its ok as its normally de-beaded (that can't be the correct word!). Finally I would just add that decent tyre levers, rim protectors and taking your time is the key.

Its really just a big bicycle. Good luck.

Thanks for that guys, yes i have a centre stand and have had quite a bit of practice, the TKC's are obviously on the list, is it worthwhile giving any of the other options a thought, Mitas etc or are the TKC's the "Mutts Nutts" so to speak?

If it says 'tubeless' on the side, it will be an arse to get on and off (even if you're using it with a tube). Distanzias, Anakees, etc are all designed to stay in place on tubeless rims.


TKCs... Mitas E-09's are cheaper, last longer and work just as well if not better off-road. Try a pair and tell me if you still feel an urge to try TKCs.

I think the Swedish Army front is a better dirt tyre than the E-09 front, and looks like it will last about as long, but you lose a bit of tarmac braking and are limited to 80mph. If you can live with that I'd think about pairing the Army front with an E-09 rear.


100% fit them at home using your travelling toolkit and nothing else. If you can't do it in your garage with those tools, you're never going to be able to do it down a muddy track.

Ever though about..
Kenda 761
Shinko 705
havn't had any griff changeing them...
the only place they don't work is wet grass..
mud & snow good.. seal/gravel/Hard dirt they are great..
I use Kenda front & Shinko rear on my XTR..

FWIW, I found the Mitas (E07) to be easier than anything I tried before but at the end of the day as Gas_up says: Practice (makes perfect)! And the right tools. ;-)
(The E07's are cheaper than TKC80's but not a proper knobbly so not as good off road)