Africa West Coast - tyre choice
 

Right I've read all the posts I can and would like to sense check my findings with those in the know.

About my trip:

I'm taking the usual route down the west coast leaving in one month and looking to change to these new tyres in Spain before I hit Morocco. My assumptions are that it will be the dry season all the way down and my riding style is more about getting to Cape Town than extreme off road riding. Not an experienced rider or mechanic so nervous about carrying extra weight of spares / challenge of fitting them.

My conclusions:

Either
a) Avon Distanzers - assumptions is that one set might last the whole way from Morocco to Cape Town. Compromise is off road performance.

b) TKC80 - more off road capability but will probably have to carry a spare rear. Could I get away with one set?

Anyone have strong opinions or advice for or against either choice?!

Many thanks,

Rob.

tires
 

a TKC 80 last about 4500 to 6000 miles if you do not ride like a miniac and also depends on which bike , one or two up. If one up , the weight if put on the back seat and cargo rack is really not a big deal ,plus they are very easy to mount .

Hey Rob,

You mention that your riding style is targeted toward getting down to Cape Town so as you probably know if you take the better roads, you won't be forced off the asphalt until north-eastern Cameroon border (Ekok).

Smallish section there, also some gravel road (pretty good quality ) in Gabon and then some rougher, sometimes sandy tracks after entering Congo-Brazzaville (if you go the easterly route through Franceville).

Next bit of off non asphalt road is northern Angola (take the Songololo crossing 80 km east of Matadi) and then alternating sections of gravel road and asphalt in southern Angola.

Depends on the season, but the riding style you mention would be mostly pavement, the non asphalt sections have mostly all season, decent quality gravel roads but there are a couple of sections where off road tire traction is certainly useful.

Don't know much about the Avon but if you choose the TKC80, you may want to consider riding a 90/10 tire for the long section down to the Cameroon border. Unless you want to horse around in the sand for bit prior to that, whereby it'll be better to have it on. I wondered about whether the TKC80 would make it far enough up so tried out a Heidenau K60. Seemed to be a good compromise of off road traction and long distance durability.

I wouldn't worry too much about having to change a spare yourself if you go that direction, it's pretty straightforward and there are plenty of tire places in towns and villages that can change a tire with a screwdriver and a spatula. Ride safe, if you have any route questions feel free to ask.

Thanks for responses. Excuse my ignorance MountainMan but what do you mean by a 90/10 tyre?

Apologies, it's a rough classification to describe suitability for different terrain, on road/off road. Examples of 90/10 tires would be Tourance, Anakee, etc., vs. a TKC80 which would be a 50/50.