RiflemanSmith
Senior Member
- Location
- London UK
Hi I just noticed that i just fitted one of my new tires the wrong way round, against the direction of travel.
Does it matter?
Does it matter?
Tyre on the wrong way round?
- Thread starter RiflemanSmith
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
rockyraccoon
Veteran
yes.. your bike will reverse when you turn the pedals 
From Sheldon Brown
Tread Directionality
Some tires have an asymmetrical tread, for instance "V" shaped tread blocks that could be oriented with the point of the "V" facing forward > or backward <. The question then arises, which way should they face?
Road Applications
With tires for road use, it really doesn't matter, since tire tread patterns serve no function on hard surfaces.
Tires with "V" patterns are common for motorcycles, and are generally installed so that the point of the "V" hits the road first. This is to help "squirt" the water out ahead of and to the side of the tire contact patch, as a protection against hydroplaning . Since hydroplaning is impossible on a bicycle, there's no need to observe this custom.
Off-road Applications
For off-road use in soft surfaces, there may be some merit in paying attention to the tread orientation, though this is far from certain.
Ideally, you would like the front tire to offer maximum traction in the braking direction, while the rear tire would normally be oriented to produce maximum traction for drive forces. Thus, if a particular tread pattern is perceived to have better traction in one direction than the other, it should be facing one way if used on the front wheel, and the opposite way if used on the rear wheel.
Tread Directionality
Some tires have an asymmetrical tread, for instance "V" shaped tread blocks that could be oriented with the point of the "V" facing forward > or backward <. The question then arises, which way should they face?
Road Applications
With tires for road use, it really doesn't matter, since tire tread patterns serve no function on hard surfaces.
Tires with "V" patterns are common for motorcycles, and are generally installed so that the point of the "V" hits the road first. This is to help "squirt" the water out ahead of and to the side of the tire contact patch, as a protection against hydroplaning . Since hydroplaning is impossible on a bicycle, there's no need to observe this custom.
Off-road Applications
For off-road use in soft surfaces, there may be some merit in paying attention to the tread orientation, though this is far from certain.
Ideally, you would like the front tire to offer maximum traction in the braking direction, while the rear tire would normally be oriented to produce maximum traction for drive forces. Thus, if a particular tread pattern is perceived to have better traction in one direction than the other, it should be facing one way if used on the front wheel, and the opposite way if used on the rear wheel.
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
I've got both mine on the wrong way so at least they match. It doesn't matter in terms of performance on the road.
rockyraccoon
Veteran
I've also got both mine on the wrong way.. I don't notice any difference
RedRider
Pulling through
- Location
- Location Embrocation
Typical cack hand by me. I did mean to put them on the right way round!
OP
OP
RiflemanSmith
Senior Member
- Location
- London UK
Thanks peeps.
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
bobdaspider
Regular
Have just changed my inner tubes for latex ones - hey, why not, but because they're more sensitive, decided to also change the rim tape - which was a wise move. But unfortunately, have put the front tyre on facing the wrong way and since the latex tubes are more sensitive, I don't really want to mess around with and potentially puncture them by removing the tyre. So, based on the feedback here - will leave them as they are. I don't ordinarily ride in the rain anyway...
bobdaspider
Regular
We've all been there!!
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Will slow you down about 2 mph
