Putting a back tyre on the front - dicing with death?

[Baggy]

I have a pair of Conti Top Touring tyres - they have been used for a couple of thousand miles but have loads of tread left. As the roads here are getting a bit slithery and muddy I'm going to stick them on my commuter as they have more grip than Gatorskins.

One is a bit more worn than the other, so this was probably on the on the back wheel before. Am I asking for trouble if I put this the front wheel and the one with more tread on the back?

I wouldn't have thought twice about it a few years ago, but seem to remember a discussion here or on C+ saying it was daft to swap them over like this.

 

[longers]

I suggested that Joe24 did this once and the resounding answer from every one else was:-

NO!!!!

Hope this helps .

 

[Baggy]

Thanks, I've just found the thread! Someone used the "Sheldon says NO" card and you swore never to advocate doing this again. You are a man of your word

I'll stick the least worn Top Touring on the back and a shiny new Gator on the front.

<stands back and waits for someone to explain why using two different types of tyre is bad>

 

[spandex]

Do not do it the Gatorskins are fine just keep them hard

 

[yenrod]

I have a pair of Conti Top Touring tyres - they have been used for a couple of thousand miles but have loads of tread left. As the roads here are getting a bit slithery and muddy I'm going to stick them on my commuter as they have more grip than Gatorskins.

One is a bit more worn than the other, so this was probably on the on the back wheel before. Am I asking for trouble if I put this the front wheel and the one with more tread on the back?

I wouldn't have thought twice about it a few years ago, but seem to remember a discussion here or on C+ saying it was daft to swap them over like this.

If you swap them soon after getting them and do it regular its ok....BUT - not after soo many miles!

 

[Tynan]

how tight?

I'e just fitted a new Lugano at all of £13 from the pricey LBS

 

[longers]

That is pricey. They're a tenner from my expensive for quite a few things LBS.

Nice tyres so far, they're replacing Gatorskins.

 

[andrew_s]

Reasons for not putting more worn tyres on the front...
1) Worn tyres are more likely to puncture or otherwise fail, and the consequences of any such deflation are worse on the front than the back - i.e. it's more likely to make you fall off.
2) Tyres wear "square" - they progress from an approximately circular cross section to being a circle with a flat bit on top. When cornering the transition from the flat top across the corner to the still circular sides makes the handling feel worse, and the effect of this is more noticeable on the front wheel than the back.

 

[Dave5N]

Reasons for not putting more worn tyres on the front...
1) Worn tyres are more likely to puncture or otherwise fail, and the consequences of any such deflation are worse on the front than the back - i.e. it's more likely to make you fall off.
2) Tyres wear "square" - they progress from an approximately circular cross section to being a circle with a flat bit on top. When cornering the transition from the flat top across the corner to the still circular sides makes the handling feel worse, and the effect of this is more noticeable on the front wheel than the back.

Miniscule.

 

[mickle]

Miniscule.

There's no need to get personal.

 

[summerdays]

If you change tyres for winter (like Mr Summerdays did last week), should he have marked the tyres that he took off first, to know which one was on which side. The ones he had on over summer have probably only done 1000 miles at a guess.

 

[Baggy]

how tight?
I'e just fitted a new Lugano at all of £13 from the pricey LBS

I'm asking about this because I want to use tyres more fit for rural winter terrain.

Anyway, after remembering how difficult the Top Touring were to get on and off, I fitted a new Gatorskin.

Summerdays, I think if one tyre isn't more noticeably more worn than the other, and they are in good condition then it will be fine.

 

[Tynan]

That is pricey. They're a tenner from my expensive for quite a few things LBS.

Nice tyres so far, they're replacing Gatorskins.

I said mine were pricey

They were the first tyres I fitted after ditching the gatorskins that came with the bike, the rear tore along the wire fairly quickly but I suppose that was just bad luck, the front still looks as new.

LBS heartily recommend them

 

[e-rider]

I've been randomly swapping tyres from back to front and vice versa for the last 25 years without any problems!

If a rear tyre is very badly worn then I would think twice before using it on the front - I would just buy a new one, as that is the normal procedure when one tyre wears out - you buy a new one!

I'm sure most of you guys/girls are riding around on bikes worth many many £100s so what's the big deal about spending £10 - £20 on a new tyre that will last years?!? Buy a nice new 'pair' and relax!

 

[Dave5N]

Miniscule.

There's no need to get personal.

There's no need to be insecure.


Is there?