it's more than just tires. it's a total lack of just about everything you would want in some
places.

had some wheel problems in myanmar.......need more tubes (they have goatheads!
who knew!), but the only ones in the first dozen shops had british valve, not the
same as french or american valves. don't check the package, you find out when
your pump doesn't fit.

blew a few spokes, not enough spares.....no 26" spokes anywhere. most wheels
there are 28". might in emergency cut off the elbow and bend them to fit, but....
finally found one shop in mandalay that had some trashed mtb wheels for reuse
and one pack of new spokes, only 5mm too long.
(cool cast-iron truing stand in the photo!)

patch kits in cambodia or laos? forget it, at least outside the capital cities.
you can find someone to vulcanize your tube.

700c tubes? no way. ran low on 26" tubes in central laos, stopped at so many
shops and markets....no spares. finally found one little stall behind the chicken
slaughtering bench at the farmers' market, had one super-heavy vinyl(?) 26"
tube. fortunately didn't need it....but tried it when i got back home....no good.

folding tire, spare tubes, boot, patch kit (plenty of patches, and several small
tubes of glue) more spare tubes, and spokes to fit both wheels, both sides.

oh, and do drill your rims to accept schraeder valves, and use the little insert
thingy.




i guess in an emergency you could buy a crappy rear wheel off some local
dude (plenty of huffy quality mtb's around).