Hi again,

Still getting ready for SE Asia. Thanks for all the advice about tents and now that I know I wont be carrying one I am reconsidering other things. If no camping gear is coming then I dont need to have my panniers shipped to me here in South Korea from the US which will save me some money. I am just going to use my saddle bag and handlebar bag for the trip.

This got me thinking. Since my load is going to be so light, just some clothes, a sleeping bag liner, and a small stove, maybe I could go lighter on the tires?

Right now I am using the stock tires that came with the LHT. These are continental city contacts 26x1.5 I am getting my wheels drilled out for shrader valve adaptability later this week and was going to purchase a set of 26x2.0 Schwlabe Duremes for the ride. Do I need to?

I think the City Contacts would be OK but worry about puncture resistence, long term wear (the trip could be as long as 6 months) and the possibility of muddy, sandy roads in places like Laos and Cambodia. However, since my load is so light maybe a narrower tire would be fine?

Here is what I have now: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...t-tire-26-inch

Here is what I am thinking of buying: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=48779

Any thoughts?