Changing Tyre?
 

Hi all,

Did anyone managed to change tyre on its own in the middle of nowhere? I will be going on long trip, just with weak girl :), and I wonder if anyone has any experience or advice from such disaster. I have spare inner tubes always with me but I don't know if I will be able to change them in the wood lets say..

Thanks

You need to get the right tools for the job, and you need to practice with them in the comfort of your own home. Maybe not in the lounge, but in your garage perhaps!

I swear by the MotionPro bead breaker/levers and always take them on a trip with me.

Tonnes of info on here and other sites about tyre changing techniques.

As above - get some practice in at home first.

It is always a good idea to try and perform every operation you think you might have to do "in the field" at home and, this is quite important, do it with the tools you're going to carry on the bike. This way you can make sure you've got all the tools you'll need and not end up short of something, as well as making sure you can do the jobs with the smaller tools you might be carrying. For example, it's no use being able to change a tyre with a nice 400mm tyre lever(s) in the shed when you only carry 240mm ones on the bike!

7 times I can count...
3 of them on my own... 2 rears , 1 front.. never had to do
it on my own on the XTR..
A second bike is handy... use there side stand on the tyre
to brake the bead... put the side stand on the tyre.. them rock the bike across so it whole weight is on the side stand... pop goes the bead...

I am bloody good at changeing tyres... getting the wheels
off & back on gives me more drama's...

Thanks, I will do few test runs and see how it goes.

Search YouTube for "tire change zip ties" for a new approach to the task.

Practice is the key.
Only use the tools you intend to carry on the bike.
Dont be tempted to cut corners and buy shorty levers, they are good but at times you need the leverage of a longer lever. This also depends on the tyre make, some have very stiff sidewalls that are a pain to get on and off the rim.
I also carry liquid tyre lube and use only enough to get the job done. I've seen people use gallons per tyre change, not necessary.
Carry an air compressor rather than compressed air canisters, so much better in my opinion. Also handy to pump up tyres if you have reduced pressures for offroad sections.
Watch the you tube videos and you'll learn loads.
Last but not least is take your time and do not rush at it, that is when you are most likely to damage a sidewall, pinch the inner tube between a lever and the rim (creating even more problems), or even damage yourself, can't change a tyre with bandaged fingers!

changing tyres
 

Top tip, after changing the rear tyre getting the spacers and disc aligned with out out the spacers dropping out is a major pain. Solution get a piece of thick wall tube just under 16mm dia and cut it to the same length of the fully assembled, rear wheel inc spacers etc. Slide the tube in the wheel this will hold everything in line, offer the wheel up and as you push the axel in it will slide the tube out which will locate the wheel on the opposite leg of the swinging arm. simples!!!

That is a legend idea! I'm onto that one. Thanks keithy2.

Agree that's a good tip to remember.