Mismatching tyres

MattPillinger

I've always been fortunate that I have been able to replace both tyres at the same time (I usually swap front with back after 1500 miles or so as the back wears down quicker).

However, just had to replace the front only as it split - back has a few hundred more miles in it yet.

I bought replacement front and rear, but only fitted the front at the moment, so my tyres make, tred etc are different front and back

Is this allowable under the rules, does everyone who passes me (there are a lot) think what a tool?

BTW - Couldn't find the same model replacement as the back one I currently have and TBH I wasn't that impressed with them anyway, so wanted to change brands anyway

davis

Who gives a hoot what other people think?

Man Of Lard

MattPillinger wrote:

I've always been fortunate...

Conversely - I've always been of the opinion that you replace things as they wear out and don't make extra work for yourself in the process. So consequently I burn through rear tyres like they're going out of fashion - probably 3 or 4 to every front on average and I certainly can't be ar-er-bothered to take the front one off to put it on the back to even the wear.

When it comes to mixing tyres - sure - why not? As long as you don't mix them on the same axle

Initialised

Try running a wider tyre art the back and a narrow tyre at the front, it's liberating!

RutlandGav

Initialised wrote:

Try running a wider tyre art the back and a narrow tyre at the front, it's liberating!

On a MTB, you've got near twice the weight on the rear as the front.

What's the effect on the handling of what you describe however? I mean, if the front end slips, you're in a road rash situation before you can possibly react. The back end letting go might give you a split second to countersteer or brace for the inevitable highside?

slowbike

MattPillinger wrote:

I've always been fortunate that I have been able to replace both tyres at the same time (I usually swap front with back after 1500 miles or so as the back wears down quicker).

I was talking to my brother (long time club rider) about this a couple of years ago ... he suggested that perhaps I'd like to get a new front tyre and put the old front on the rear once the rear has worn down - on the basis that you don't really want to get a flat in the front - so it should be the "best" tyre - the rear doesn't matter so much.

MattPillinger

Slowbike wrote:

MattPillinger wrote:

I've always been fortunate that I have been able to replace both tyres at the same time (I usually swap front with back after 1500 miles or so as the back wears down quicker).

I was talking to my brother (long time club rider) about this a couple of years ago ... he suggested that perhaps I'd like to get a new front tyre and put the old front on the rear once the rear has worn down - on the basis that you don't really want to get a flat in the front - so it should be the "best" tyre - the rear doesn't matter so much.

Interesting, did he say why?

I'd usually err towards putting my 'best' tyre on the back, on the basis that if I get a slow puncture it is generally easier to get home and fix it in the warm etc if it's a front one - because there is a lot less weight on the front and you can also sit back and reduce weight still further.

graeme_s-2

MattPillinger wrote:

Interesting, did he say why?

Because sudden and rapid deflation of your front tyre is more likely to result in you picking your teeth out of the gutter!

http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-rotation.html