I have been looking at these tyres and wanted to fit them myself. It will be the first time i am doing this. I intend to get some decent tools for the job but am wondering how difficult it will be as they seem to have a steel belt. Any views would be most welcome.

It depends on your definition of "decent tools"

I am assuming that does not mean a full-fledged compressor driven tyre machine. So prepare for some cursing and swearing the first few times

It is easier to get tyres off/on if they are nice and warm. To get the old tyres warm go for a ride, meanwhile put the new ones in direct sun light, preferably in a conservatory or something. Makes them more flexible and manageable. Secondly, apply lots of grease. If you don't have specific tyre grease just soapy water works as well.

If you have to apply a lot of force you are probably taking too big a section of tyre at once, go with smaller sections at a time. also make sure that the opposite side of the tyre is nice and deep in the middle of the rim.

And take good care that you are not nipping the tube while you're putting the new tyre on.

I don't have any experience with these trailmaxes, but I have done my share of tough-walled tyres and in the end they will all fit. It is just the amount of cursing that varies.

Tools will be 3 tyre irons 2 bead buddys and a clamp to help break the bead. I just want to learn how to do it myself so i can change tyres for different uses, and mend a puncture. I just am not sure about the steel belt and how hard it will be. I have seen you tube videos and have picked up some tips and methods, but most of the tyres appear to be off road ones which people say are easier.

I have had these tyres, thought about a DIY fitting job, but in the end didn't bother because of the same reservations that you have. I have had no bother changing TKCs on the Ten (and removing Tourance), but these road bias tyres feel a lot stiffer. For the sake of �20, I didn't think it was worth the blood, sweat and tears, especially if your short of time and it's freezing cold in the shed.

Mind you, they were good tyres for road work and last well.

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Can't agree. tyre fitting is pretty straight forward, i think it's a skill a biker/adventure [never mind enduro racing] rider should have. I still fit a pair of tyres with mousses to the bike in under 15 minutes.

checkout as a starting point http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUfYs30x5eU

roadside tyre replacement rural france last year


go on give it a go!

Probably didn't explain myself very well. I totally agree that changing tyres is a valuable skill to have, and I do have it I think (maybe not 15 minutes though!) However, what I was trying to imply was there are occasions when time, children, wife, work, weather, excuses etc mean it's just more sensible to get someone to do it!

Fac191 should have a go, but perhaps a tyre like the TR91 is not the best for a first attempt? But, you can always try and if you get stuck then take it to the tyre man I suppose...

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I do all my tyres myself..4ply are easy in most cases..6 ply are a diffrent story...
All I use are 3 200mm levers & a can of CRC or WD40..
I have a drum with the top cut out & a length of garden hose
split put over the lip..to put the wheel on..

The trick is..on the opisite side of the tyre yer working
make sure the bead is down in the spoke well to give yerself
more free tyre to get over the rims bead flange..
heaps of CRC/WD40 on tyre & rim to let it slip..
dish wash works well aswell...
TAKE LITTLE BITES WITH THE LEVERS...

When putting the tyre on... Have enough air in the tube
to just holds its shape but still let the tyres bead push
down into the spoke well... less chance of grabing it with a
lever...

Yer going to fined it a pain in the ass the first few times...
practice practice practice... they almost fall on for me now..

I have RAC breakdown but i dont think they normally fix punctures, so they will take you to the nearest bike shop and you will have to pay them to fix it.So you might as well learn to do it yourself and save some money. Also i think it would be handy to be able to change your tyres for something more suitable if your going somewhere off road. I would like to try the Trailmax as a road tyre but if they will be difficult to remove i would go for Tourance again, which i believe would be easier to get off. I am coming to the lakes meet and am worried if it rains alot i will struggle, so was going to get some TCK`s and swop them over before i come . When i get back i can revert to the road tyres again. If i take it to a shop it will cost me about �100 pounds to swap them around.

Hell - I can appreciate why you want to learn to do it yourself!

Seriously though, why not go straight for the TKCs now and fit them yourself, I can vouch for the fact they are not too difficult for a novice to learn with (I learnt with these!).

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I am going to be doing about 1500 road miles before the lakes and dont want to square them off. I have a small nail in the front so i need to get it sorted before i do any high speeds. Its a bit of a tricky one. Thanks for the advice everyone.