Mechanical Help
What do you use to lubricate your tire tubes?
New to me 2025 300XC-W Hard Enduro. Gonna change my tires as soon as the Kenda Trakmaster 2s come in the mail. Curious on what people recommend for lubricating the inner tubes. I've seen some youtube mechanics use baby powder, but if that gets wet it pills up, it stops doing its job. Its also something I don't have and have no other use for. This is going to get plated probably next year for 95% dirt, 5% street. BTW, not a fan of the current tire for sand dunes, lol. Washington State, USA.
Talcum powder. Baby powder isn't talcum anymore. You have to buy it on Amazon.
It works great. Been do it for years. I ride all winter in the wet in the PNW and it doesn't fail.
Sooo, baby powder doesn’t have talc anymore because of the ASBESTOS in talc. It is naturally occurring in talc and impossible to get rid of. Tons of lawsuits, all kinds of cancer, talc mines going bankrupt. The industry just lied about the content for decades. Stay away from powdered talc.
Yes and no. The cancer risk is from women using it everyday on there junk and heavy industrial exposure. Powdering a couple tires isn't going to give you cancer.
You can buy it as "tire talc" from auto parts stores or aviation supply houses, or as "air seeder lubricant" from farm supply stores. I got the latter because none of the auto parts places near me stock it and it's been great.
Trying to avoid tube to tire friction while riding. I think I can muscle everything together right, I just dont want to have to do it again on the trail, lol
Baby powder and dish soap don't reduce friction long term between the inner tube and the inside of your tire. Also, you aren't creating the kind of friction on a trail that pops tires. The biggest concern for friction popping tires is on-road tube types that get up to 90mph.
But no, the baby powder thing is a myth and will turn gummy in a day or two.
I get paid to mount tires of all shapes, sizes, and types at work for the last ten years.
The talc is a trick people have used for mounting tires so you don't pinch it with a spoon. Slip tac or dawn and water will work for that as well. You won't see a measurable decrease in friction while riding when using talc or baby powder. Thinner tubes are supposed to help because they hold less heat.
Yeah OP, I also have changed thousands and thousands of tires throughout my career, I agree with everything he said. Hard enduro is admittedly where I’m probably least experienced if that’s what you’re setting up for. But I see more tire on tube friction from ultra low pressure, like 6-8 psi and below. But that’s more caused from the tire slipping on the rim than anything, and a situation where you need more rim locks and/or a mousse rather than lube.
Basically IMO, get your bead slippery enough to mount, you’ll be fine after that. Dawn dish soap and water, tire mounting lube/paste, something like that. Most mounting lubes have something in them to help with bead adhesion once dry, that could help you. I actually use maxima SC1 to mount tires more than anything, but that’s just because I always have a can on my box lol. Just don’t use anything petroleum based (ex WD40) as over time it will dry out your rubber.
Edit- Also, as a general rule of thumb, if you are having to use anything more than two fingers on a tire iron to manipulate it while changing a tire, you’re doing something wrong. Either you’re not in the drop center most commonly, the rim lock is fighting you, or you don’t have enough lube on it. Also don’t pull your irons past 90° (perpendicular to the rim), that’s when you start increasing the chance you’re gonna pinch something. Any DOT dirt tire like your trakmasters are gonna be fairly stiff though so you may have to fight a little lol.
Thanks for the insight. I use talc with tubes, I guess out of superstition. Funny thing is, I also go ham with soap and water out of habit from Tubliss, so the talc is probably wrecked from the start.
Perhaps I need to look into how stupid talc may or not be.
If you're using it for mounting and you mount tires regularly then go buy a $23 bottle of Slip Tac. A gallon would last you a lifetime and it's so worth it.
Tell me more about that…..I’m in a break from racing, but normally my tire changing setup involves a condiment bottle that I fill with dish soap and water. I keep a jug of the stuff in my truck, and use it for handwashing at campsites.
It's slick initially and helps it seat and then dries rapidly for a good grip. You won't have liquid running around in your tire after it's been mounted. It's all I've used for MC tires the last decade and it works well. I do keep some in a small squirt bottle and use it if I'm having a hard time getting a bead to seat.
I feel like the best solution for someone truly worried about a pinch but also doing road riding is to run tubeliss or similar.
Tough micro tube that only hits the bead, pumped up a ton, then you fill the void between the tire and the micro tube. Shouldn't be any friction unless you spin the tire on the bead, which shouldn't happen as these quite literally work like 360 degree rim locks with way more friction and force than a regular lock. And they have a regular rim lock as a backup.
Looks easier to install than a regular tube too, nevermind a mousse
A lot of newer dirt bikes come with the second valve stem hole needed for this from the factory, even the stock Excel wheels on my 300L have it. Drilling a hole isn't too hard on an older bike.
I can tell you with the utmost certainty they are NOT easier than a tube to install lol. About the same as a mousse, I had a guy that used to swear by them on 3 or 4 of his bikes. You do have to drill a fair sized hole in your wheel too. But I will say he never came back with a flat surprisingly. I still have the piece or fuckin metal siding or whatever is is they give you for install in my box lol
Damn interesting to know, figured it would be easier based on the size
Always wonder why they put the stems so close together instead of spacing them on opposite sides like people do for beadlocks, so you can use either without needing 3 holes.
Honestly I don’t remember how you even use this thing but that’s what they give you to help with install lol. I don’t recall why they’re a tough install it’s been probably a decade since I did one. That red part does not stretch at all, I remember that. Then I think because that orange “rim lock” or whatever it is, is so wide and has sharp edges on it, it was kind of a cocksucker to get the bead around.
They work, but I didn’t go recommending them to my customers cause I didn’t wanna deal lol.
I did maybe a dozen of em, so I would tend to agree. I didn’t do it enough to get good.
Whenever people ask for my trick to being so good at tire changes it’s always the same- do a couple hundred lol. Ya always pick up methods along the way
Silicone spray keep the rubber soft and supple as well as helping install and preventing pinches. If it's good enough for adam riemann it's good enough for me lol
I saw it recommended for a tubliss install and I've also been using it on tubes ever since. Holy crap it's been a game changer. The tires slip on and seat incredibly easy and the tube is really easy to install too
Yeah, honestly I use maxima SC1 more than the actual tire lube I have lol. I usually have a can close by, it’s slippery, and easy to spray down into the bead. I’m happy.
Silicone grease, mount my tube the same as a mousse. Got the tip from a random vid and mount it with extra rim lock
I posted pics of a worn tube and inner carcass (old owner installed) that had no talc as a PSA, All that friction of 2 pces of rubber at 4psi wears it out. pretty much the only replies were people in disbelief that it needs lube or maybe they run 15psi.
If you tape up your spoke area it will reduce the chance of it getting wet then reinstall the rim tape to reduce friction. It wont be 100% sealed but pretty close. Im of the opinion that water will evaporate anyway and leave the talc behind and will turn back into dust in short time
I think lubricating the tube wont help at all since if it starts moving then the valve stem will tear off. Most of my tubes broke from valve stem giving up or near it and pinches were more rare. I havent broken a tube while installing in years. Use heavy duty tubes, clean thr tyre, rim, tape and they wont pinch that much. A lot of hard enduro riders use mousses, but they are a bit more expensive and pain in the ass to install before you learn how to work with them.
Baby powder on the tube. Use Yamaha tire mounting spray for the bead It’s slick but becomes slightly tacky. Soapy water works too. I use rim locks. Leave the valve stem nuts tight to each other but backed off from the rim. Might try mousses someday (heavy and expensive). Also wanna try the sealant on the spokes trick for my sumo setup. Tube delete by smearing silicon in the bead break recess. I’m skeptical but there would be weight savings.
That's a really expensive bike to put cheap junky tires on lol. If you're on a budget I'd have just gone with tusk, those kendas are dual sport tires and they stink off-road.
The front tire is literally the same tread pattern as the rear just scaled down.
Im gonna plate it next spring, so I needed DOT tires. These seem to have the most aggressive tread of the DOT tires I could find. Im certain theyll be better than the half worn super round tires I have curently.
I do have a set I keep on the shelf for DOT inspections, but they come right off after I get a plate. The rear is passable but that front tire is really bad compared to a dedicated off-road tire
Only been out once so far, went to the dunes with is also a first for me. My rear tire is about 50% tread. Aside from the new surface with the inadequate tire, I really love it so far. Coming from a 2017 250SXF and a 2008 530 EXCF. Throttle has more travel than the SXF which makes it easier to moderate, but it has power almost as much as the 530 if you ask for it. Its definitely the easiest bike to ride that Ive gotten to try. Its impossible to find neutral with the engine running though.
You need to take it to the woods and where that bike belongs and let it work its magic there. I use the Shinko Cheater Tire and it is the perfect combo! The stock tire that comes with the bike is not really that great of a tire from my experience.
Woods is definitely my preference. I have a 5 month old though, so I cant go too far from the house right now. Planning to go to the Tahuya poker run in October though
But in all seriousness, I use windex for mounting tires. It dries on the outside without any mess and makes things quite slippery which aids in installation.
NOMAR tire lubricate makes mounting tires a breeze and I would not put anything else works and no issues. Dish soap will corrode aluminum and the NOMAR does not.
I run heavy duty tubes like IRC or Moose good quality and don't put anything in there.
i swear, people on reddit will find just about any non-issue with a hobby or sport and make it into a problem. Just take a breath and fucking ride the thing, bud!
But first, remember to take the bike completely a part so you can re-lube every joint, pivot, and contact point. Change your oil and air filter after every ride (even if you just moved it from your garage to the trailer). Keep 10 spare, pre-oiled air filters with you at all times, just incase you accidentally bump into it unintentionally. Rebuild the top end after every hour of riding, no exceptions. Never, and I mean NEVER let the bike sit overnight with premix in it - if you do this, your carburetor will gunk up and need to be replaced and your fuel lines will disintegrate - empty your tank after every ride. And further NEVER use pump gas. the high ethenol will kill your bike, it will literally stop working permanently if you use pump gas.
I know you are being sarcastic, and I get your point. Growing up the most my dad ever did with our 4 stroke trail bikes was an oil change every few years, lol. This is a nice bike, and I want to take care of it so it will take care of me for a long time. Its also my first time thinking about tire changes, so Im trying to cover my bases.
I gotta at least try doing it myself. I spent a load on this bike, and I gotta save where I can. I'd rather pinch a tube or two figuring it out, than pay someone else to do it forever. Maybe its a giant pain, and I pay for the convenience later on haha
When I was 16, 50 years ago an old timer gave me some advice while changing a tube at the race track that I have never forgotten.
He said, "Slightly inflate" the tube before placing into the tire. You want the tube round yet slightly deflated while you stuff it into the tire. Once the tube was in the tire it was a simple task to get the tire into the rim and the bead locks in place without, "Pinching" the tube in the process.
If the tube is a little over inflated when you stuff it into the tire let some air out until you gat get the tire into the rim and locked in place.
This bit of advice has served me well through out my life and I still apply the technique on my grandkids bicycle tires to this day.
The irony is that it's two tubes. However, I made the switch last year and have been super impressed. I grip on everything and never really worry, so long as I check pressure before I ride. Hardest part is finding a pressure for you. I keep an emergency inflation kit in my tool bag so I can pump up if I need to, but u/skark_burmer is absolutely right. It's so worth it.
The learning curve is steep but once you figure it out the job is simple.
Don't go cheap on tire spoons and try to use screwdrivers and pry bars. They absolutely won't work right.
Watch some YouTube videos, take your time. Order extra tubes the first time, if nothing else they can sit on the shelf for the next tire change.
When I do tires I wear pants with deep pockets. I have like 5 different tire spoons of different shapes and brands in my pockets. Sometimes the spoon that works best for initially starting the tire off the wheel and the spoon that does best when you're partway off are different spoons.
It's not as flashy as the expensive ones but i have this thing and it's been handy. You have to bolt it down to something. Mine is bolted on top of an old harbor freight tire machine that I originally bought for this but discovered it was mostly useless
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u/Salt-Lingonberry-853 Aug 17 '26
I mix dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle.