Breaking your front tire bead on the trail Solo ??

[AndyCBR]

I change all my own tires at home using just the tools I carry on the bike. I break the bead (even on K60's) by working my way around the tire with tire irons and soapy water. Eventually the bead pops loose. I do use a 5 gal. compressor to set the bead on new tires.
The only tire I've had to send to the shop was a 17" rear K60. I got it half way off, smashed my finger trying to get the second bead off the rim and said screw it. Those K60's CAN be a bitch.
On trips I carry rope plugs, a 19" tube and a Slime compressor. If the beads not broken, plug it. If the bead breaks, tube it. I've never had to use the tube but I don't trust any small packable gizmo the seat a bead.

Just yesterday my front tire debeaded after going through a rock garden and a water crossing (I suspect a large rock in the water crossing). There was a very small dent in the rim edge but I've had bigger dents and the tire has held air fine.

I made a soap solution from my travel shampoo and a water bottle and used my cycle pump to no avail.

I then used one of my ratchet straps to go around the tire (it was a bitch to get and keep it centered on the tire under the fender). After that success. The tire has held fine for 450 miles since.

Hope this helps,
Andy

 

[wfopete]

Andy,

Good luck with your 2013 UTBDR/COBDR/Super Tenere Rally.

Be careful, she's a big girl!