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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
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  #1  
Old 11 Jul 2021
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Changing tyres
Hi,
I am an old school man.
Used to spoked wheels, steel rims and tyres with tyre sizes like
3X19", 4.10X18"

Tyrese with tubes

I have always replaces my tyres myself (and fixed punctures).
I have a set of standard tyre levers (3, good size)

But.
Now I have a bike with Alu rims and tubeless tyres.
Sizes

110/80-19"
150/70-17"

Will I get anywhere with my tyre levers,on this type of tyres.
Or will I destroy myself, the rim and not beeing able to replace the tyres?
And the only solution is to go to a workshop ?

Any experiences from hand working on tubeless tyres on alu rims ?

Thanks
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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Tubeless tyres fit much tighter on the rim which means that they are not so easy to change than tube tyres. But punctures are easier to fix, because you don't have to fiddle the tube out of the tyre to patch it. You just plug the hole and that's it.


To break the bead is naturally harder, but with your centre stand or side stand you can quite easily press the tyre with the weight of the bike from the hump into the rim. If you're worried about scratching your rim when applying the tyre levers you can get special plastic parts to protect the rim e.g. Touratech has got this stuff in its supply. I haven't tried them, because I changed the tyres just using the levers. What is important is to get the tyre to slide easily over the rim. Soap does it best IMO. And if it's sunny, leave the (new) tyre in the sun for a while to make it more pliable.
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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I am looking at the Motion Pro levers and bead breaker set up - the three levers system I have used on my BMW air head wheels and they are OK but not easy.

When dealing with punctures on tubeless tyres I have used the “sticky worms” solution to punctures from screws etc and they are excellent and last well. Total time from removing the offending item to being on my way is less than 45 minutes. Most of the time is spent waiting for the vulcanising solution to have time to go off so plenty of time to put the tools away, have a cup of tea and relax.
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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My suggestion is not to use glue-based plugs like sticky worms, strings etc.
Tyre plugger kit below is, IMHO, the best out there.
5 minutes tops to fix a flat.
Last edited by Toyark; 10 Nov 2021 at 11:31.
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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Mushroom plug kit in the field, levers at home on tyre change day.

The first time you may need a screw clamp or even a work shop press. Hondasan and Von Beemvee were off they day they gave out the brain cells associated with using grease/soap on sliding fits. On a Moto Guzzi the OE tyres come off with an angle grinder. Once done properly they are hardly more difficult than tube type and a lot easier to live with. All good advice above.

Andy
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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Changing tyres
Hi
just to clarify.
It has nothing to do with puntures.

The tyres are worn out. And need to be changed.
And they are not original set. They are second set on this bike.

I might give it a try.....

Where I lived before, the tyre workshop charged €20 to change tyre and balance the wheel. Giving them a loose wheel and a new tyre.
It was not worth the hassle to do itmyself. For saving 20€.

(Even for old type of tyres, some heat is good.
Fan, sun, ..... makes them softer)
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Old 11 Jul 2021
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The best tool you will ever have with tyre changing is experience.

Practice will do you more favours than laser etched titanium tyre levers and aircraft grade tyre bungs ever will.
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Old 14 Jul 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cholo View Post
FORTNINE has a fun video where he rates tyre puncture stuff, he didn't like the tyre plugger, seems those of us that use that product have a death wish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm6fTWaj3QE

no death wish. I have plugged with rubber plugs and worms and have always ridden the tyre until it was use up. I have survived to this day
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