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Rear tyre and chain - Santiago or Buenos Aires or nearby? Rear tyre and chain - Santiago or Buenos Aires or nearby?
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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2017
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Rear tyre and chain - Santiago or Buenos Aires or nearby?
Im in Santiago for the moment and after a *#%•~ lot of trouble it seems my Tenere is coming around in a few days and will be rideable again. (Cross my fingers) However my rear tyre and my chain and sprockets will both need replacement in like 3-4000 kms from now. Here in Santiago I know I can find a relative good selection of dual sport tyres and chains (I carry a set of sprockets - time to use em now)
I am planning to head towards Buenos Aires and Uruguay before they have winter there but maybe a detour somewhere on the way. But I have heard that bike parts are both more expensive and harder to get in Argentina/Buenos Aires. Is that true and if so - how much more expensive? And how difficult to find? Should I buy the parts here in Santiago or will I be able to find them relatively easy and not 50-100 % more expensive in lets say Buenos Aires or Montevideo or anywhere else in that area?

Thanks in advance!

Any links to stores would be great...
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Old 18 Apr 2017
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I won't put off getting new tires to save money.
Argentina has a loopy economy and price fluctuate based on shifting factors that are hard to predict. Take as much USD or Euro as you can to Argentina, then trade privately for the best exchange rate.
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Old 18 Apr 2017
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The question of when to buy a chain is easy--just buy it wherever is convenient and carry it with you. Carrying a tire is easy enough, too, provided you're not pushing terrain or performance limits.

Trying to squeeze that last 3-4000 km out of a chain or tire purely to save a bit of money is probably silly no matter where you are. That's especially true if you're already someplace where you know your way around, and even more so if you're headed somewhere more expensive.

On the other hand, I've done it lots of times. Usually in the end I regret waiting until the last minute. In any case, choosing Argentina instead of Chile is going to cost you, as will choosing Brazil instead of almost anyplace on the planet. The only saving grace (IMHO), is that the search for parts and supplies can be entertaining at times, and helps encourage exploration of a new city....if that's what you want.

Last note: if you're headed across to B.A., it's worth considering Mendoza for parts and repairs--smaller, simpler and friendlier than B.A., with plenty of shops all concentrated in a small area. However, still far more expensive than Chile.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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Old 19 Apr 2017
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Originally Posted by markharf View Post
The question of when to buy a chain is easy--just buy it wherever is convenient and carry it with you. Carrying a tire is easy enough, too, provided you're not pushing terrain or performance limits.

Trying to squeeze that last 3-4000 km out of a chain or tire purely to save a bit of money is probably silly no matter where you are. That's especially true if you're already someplace where you know your way around, and even more so if you're headed somewhere more expensive.

On the other hand, I've done it lots of times. Usually in the end I regret waiting until the last minute. In any case, choosing Argentina instead of Chile is going to cost you, as will choosing Brazil instead of almost anyplace on the planet. The only saving grace (IMHO), is that the search for parts and supplies can be entertaining at times, and helps encourage exploration of a new city....if that's what you want.

Last note: if you're headed across to B.A., it's worth considering Mendoza for parts and repairs--smaller, simpler and friendlier than B.A., with plenty of shops all concentrated in a small area. However, still far more expensive than Chile.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
Thanks for the answer Mark

Well - carrying a chain and a tyre isnt exactly the best option on an already (over)loaded bike. So I rather avoid that option if possible.

Squeeze another 4000 out of a rear tyre? Thats easily like 30-40-50 % of a rear tyres lifespan. Personally I think its rather silly to change a tyre when you have almost half of its lifespan left - but it might just be me.

Isnt there some tyreshops in Argentina or Uruguay that have a website so that one can see their selections and prices? I had a look at Argentinas "Mercado Libre" and there seems to be a fair selection of dual sport tyres at prices not much more than Chile. However I have never tried online shopping in South-Anerica so I have no idea how conveniant or not conveniant it might be...

How is the options in Peru by the way - if I choose to go in that direction in stead? Selection and prices?
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Old 20 Apr 2017
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I remember Peru as cheaper than Chile, with a pretty good selection in the two towns where I bought tires--Cuzco and Ica. Labor's cheaper, too.

I guess you and I see rear tires differently. If 4000 km/2400 miles is half the tire's lifespan, then it would indeed be silly to toss it now. But now that I've given up on TKC's, all my tires last far longer. YMMV.

I'd carry sprockets regardless, since they're bike-specific, therefore the most difficult to source in faraway lands. The rest is up to your tolerance for heavy loads and (eventual) shopping trips in strange cities. But if you're picky about tires, there's still a strong case to be made for buying when the opportunity arises rather than hoping you'll turn something up a couple of thousand clicks down the road.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes for you. Good luck!

Mark
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