Directional tyres

[spacecat]

That's what I thought initially before reading all this, but then why have two arrows with one saying front pointing the other way to the one saying rear? Why not one arrow just saying rotation or direction

 

[mickle]

That's what I thought initially before reading all this, but then why have two arrows with one saying front pointing the other way to the one saying rear? Why not one arrow just saying rotation or direction

Because even tyre manufacturers can fall for the myth that motive traction is the most important performance feature of a rear tyre. I'm prepared sacrifice a little 'traction' to gain a bit of cornering grip.
And anyway - who pedals so hard in corners that they can break traction? No one i know.

 

[mcshroom]

Don't forget these tyres are designed for using in snow as well as on tarmac. I can break traction on snow* and I'm not the strongest rider by any means.

*Going uphill rather than cornering (why you think you would be doing so when cornering I don't follow)

 

[MontyVeda]

I probably have this wrong, but I have always had the arrow pointing backwards when at the ground... so the arrow rotates in the direction of travel when spining the wheels for forward momentum as though pedaling. Not sure how to explain that...

sounds right to me that does

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

sounds right to me that does

thanks - was beginning to wonder reading this thread...

 

[spacecat]

My back wheel was slithering around under drive the other week when we had snow. So my thinking is if I turned the tyre round the chevrons might bite more into the snow, rather than have a tendancy to push it aside.........I have cocktail sticks for legs btw......20 miles on snow was probably going to be seriously hard work no matter what though!

 

[spacecat]

thanks - was beginning to wonder reading this thread...

I still am lol

 

[mcshroom]

It's amazing how much better they are in snow at 30psi than at 50-60 either way round. The other thing I found out was that unweighting the rear end of the bike is a bad idea (mine are on a single-speed and I was used to climbing short sharp bits out of the saddle).

At 30psi they drag like hell though (yes even more than at normal pressure)

 

[Night Train]

And anyway - who pedals so hard in corners that they can break traction? No one i know.

As I understand it it isn't so much breaking traction as clearing the tread of mud/dirt. At least that is the case with motor vehicles (tractors).

 

[mickle]

I have to admit to being a mountain bike tyre tread pattern anorak.

As i understand it there are two schools of thought regarding tractor tread direction. With chevrons pointing against the direction of travel the tread 'cups' loose or muddy terrain. The more common - chevrons pointing forrards - sheds mud outwards digging down to find terra firma.