Gravel toward Merzouga or wet Vietnam switchbacks—a puncture is routine, not panic and not heroics into a shredded sidewall. Catalog bikes are adventure tubeless; pressure drops per briefing, not by guess. Rider pannier carries gauge, pump, plugs. Sweep and mechanic (Morocco adds support van) take cases where plugs are wrong. Below—the self-help line we state before leaving Hanoi or Casablanca.
Pressure: cold morning, hot asphalt
Cold tire check every morning before rolling. Gravel drop 0.2–0.4 bar below asphalt only after sweep words, not last year’s Altai habit.
After long sun do not bleed pressure immediately—wait for shade or hotel.
Plug: when yes, when no
Tread nail—plug + pump, notify sweep, moderate speed to hotel. Sidewall, bulge, second puncture same day—stop, wait for mechanic.
Wheel swap on slope without spotter—no. On Morocco tour that is support van work.
Your pannier vs organizer
Yours: gauge, pump/CO₂, plugs, valve tools, tape. Spare tube only if briefing says bike is not tubeless.
Organizer: spares on van, jack, recovery. Do not plan to ride 80 km on destroyed rubber.
| Damage | Rider | Sweep/mech | Ride? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tread nail | plug | notify | yes, soft |
| Sidewall | stop | replace | no |
| Worn out | stop | recovery | no |
| Low P | pump | check | after verify |
FAQ
01Snow chains?
Only if that departure briefing says so—for early spring Balkans ask 30 days out.
02Slime in tire?
Agree before trip—complicates pannier service and fleet balancing.
03Where to practice?
At home on scrap tire + 200 km test ride from first expedition checklist.