Mitas E07 issues
 

I really like this tyre and I have just fitted my third rear E07 this weekend.

The first time I fitted an E07 I had no issues at all. The second time I had no issues removing the tyre but I just could not get it to seat properly on one side. I gave up and got a tyre shop to pop it on in the end.

This brings us to this weekend and my third fitting. This time I could not break the bead Spent two hours trying various methods and it would not budge. (It has to be remembered that this was the one I couldn't get to seat when fitting). I gave up in the end and got a local tyre fitter to break the bead on their machine for me.

This gets me thinking about what happens if I got a puncture on the trail somewhere and whether I could fix it.

Is anyone else having these issues with Mitas E07's or is it just pure bad luck?

It must be a bit of bad luck there , I had that trouble when I first started doing tyres myself it just got easier in time , those Yamaha rims are extremely tight tolerance wise, I think practice is the key(was for me anyway!) ..if you use tyre sealer in your tubes and carry a small compressor fixing punctures on the trail isn't a problem..I have had three now and works perfectly for me..

Yeah I am guessing that it was just an iffy tyre to both get on and off as both the previous E07 and the subsequent E07 have both been ok to get on/off.

On a related note, does anyone here use a tyre valve pulling tool like the following example or is it an unnecessary piece of weight?
http://www.adventure-spec.com/default/tyre-tube-valve-pulling-tool.html

Yeah , I use one , personally it saves my pinkies it's a pain trying to get a valve through!..

Purchases, purchases and more purchases...
 

Tell me about it.
I have sore knuckles today! My list of potential Motion Pro purchases grows longer...

Talking of purchases, I picked up a pair of VisionX solstice spots for less than �50. Pretty happy with them although not needed at present other than for presence in the traffic.

Just out of interest what lube do you use for tyre fitting??

Good old fashioned washing up liquid which has been diluted just a bit. Used it for over 10 years now.

I used washing up liquid for a little while but had shed loads of trouble getting tires off, and breaking beads. It was because the rim was being corroded by all the salt in washing up liquid And the rough surface was gripping the tyre.
I switched to rema tiptop tyre paste (�11 quid for an actual bucket full.) Never had an issue since and if has nice corrosion inhibitors in it also. So my wheels look better too. I threw some in a tobacco tin and carry it out for trail puntures as well.

Helps when fitting mitas C02 on the back. My god theyre stiff tyres haha.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182196729446

Good advice Jon..good stuff that tyre lube and I have a c02 on at the moment I absolutely love it!..

Don't think I'll again put a Mitas E07 on the rear, 11 000 km and the centre is solid and slippery
I'd rather go for full knobbly like TKC 80

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4191/3...40d60693_z.jpg

Use canola spray to mount your tyre....Don't go overboard with it. just enough to get the job done.

I usually pump the tyre up to around 50PSI and leave it overnight to "bead-up". By the next day all traces of the canola have gone (flashed off).

I always check any tyres I take off, paying particular attention to the bead....They have never shown any sign of damage from the Canola.

Below are round figure mileages that I get from rear tyres

Mitas EO9 ~5000K
Mitas EO7 ~6000K
Pirelli MT21 ~3500K
Dunlop 606 ~5000K

Just fitted a Motoz Tractionator Desert....Done one short ride (250K) and find it very disconcerting. It is a very aggressive tread pattern and tends to "wander". Great in sand with the power on but most of the time it floats around and generally makes its own arrangements!!!

Just about to head out on a 2500K ride that will be mainly dirt and sand, I am a bit concerned the Motoz may not make the distance.

My views on the other tyres are

EO9...OK but too unpredictable for my liking. A pig to do repairs on off road...will never fit another. Bloody deadly in the rain

EO7... I have tried them in 130's and 140's. The 140 is great, but a pig to get to bead up. The 130 is probably the ultimate 50/50 tyre and is my "go-to tyre" for longer rides when I know I will be doing more than 5000K. Very predictable on all surfaces even in the rain.

Pirelli MT21...nice tyre but poor wear rate

Dunlop 606...Similar to the MT21 but wears better. My preferred tyre for shorter rides with lots of rough terrain.