Tyres fitted in wrong direction?

[ianrauk]

This is what Sheldon Brown has to say about the subject.

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.

 

[HLaB]

Because of the width and shape of a bike tyre, it is actually impossible to hydroplane one. I know this is true, cos Sheldon tells me so!

Oh it is possible but very unlikely; I think a 3 inch, 40psi tyre only needs 60mph, I doubt even Cav could do that

 

[sreten]

Hi,

If a tyre only has a Forward direction indicator arrow then generally :

For a road bike both tyres point forward for good rolling.

For an off road bike the arrow points forward on the back and
backwards on the front, as the back is for drive, the front braking.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Hip Priest]

Do you want to try that with a new gatorskin on a 23.

I've not managed to get a Gator on without a lever but the instructions certainly made it easier, and meant I only had to use a single lever for the last bit.

 

[Davidc]

Davidc, - am I right then to assume it will probably make little difference? ( I don't mind a second head, it can suffer my wife's nagging in my place...)

I didn't notice I'd done it until I took the wheel off to check the bearings. I turned it round because things like that irritate me. Don't think I'd even noticed they had a preferred direction until then, but know now.

If it bothers you just take the time to turn it round!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I've not managed to get a Gator on without a lever but the instructions certainly made it easier, and meant I only had to use a single lever for the last bit.

I broke two till I got some Park levers.

 

[ianrauk]

I broke two till I got some Park levers.

The Blue ones Nige?
If so, then yes, they really are the biz.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

The Blue ones Nige?
If so, then yes, they really are the biz.

Yea the blue ones, makes changing tyres a breeze.

 

[biggs682]

Turn the wheel round

might struggle if disc brakes

 

[biggs682]

OK, turn the forks round then?

good idea batman

 

[Davidc]

OK, turn the forks round then?

Take the bike to Asda, they'll do it for you.

 

[Lux1]

Well I fitted the back tyre the correct way round, not before I'd slashed the inner tube with a tyre lever though! After that, I decided to leave the front as it was.

Anyhow, I switched on my new one23 1000 lumen light, burning a hole in the living room carpet on the way out, and took the bike out on the road. What a difference some slicker tyres make, it's still no road bike, but boy it flew along effortlessly. However, with the suspension dampened off, and 80psi of pressure in the tyres you really feel everything on the road.

All in all, a good quick ride.