They installed my front tire backwards. How much does it matter?

[IXL2Relax]

http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/tyre-tech-talk/

https://www.contimotousablog.com/tir...pattern-why-i/

https://www.contimotousablog.com/tir...attern-why-ii/

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[wedge]

Originally Posted by IXL2Relax

http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/tyre-tech-talk/

https://www.contimotousablog.com/tir...pattern-why-i/

https://www.contimotousablog.com/tir...attern-why-ii/

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Thanks, that Conti link states that the grooves in center of tire are in line with rotation, then curve off to the sides and near perpendicular to rotation at the sides, then it states that the rear tire is mostly looking for traction under power, and the front is looking for traction when braking, so that agrees with my mental picture of it. Basically the grooves are designed to align with the possible angle of your slide as you loose traction, which is why at the side of the tire they are close to perpendicular to rotation, because; that is the direction the rear is going to hang out while in a slide. Honestly, I wasn't even thinking it through that far, but this really completes the picture in my head. Imagining the tire flipped, those grooves would be trapping water like a squeegee. Sounds fun. I see a new sport evolving from this.

I didn't see any explanation in the other two links except to say that it's important and by design. So that confirms the need to flip that tire at the very least.

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by wedge

Thanks, that Conti link states that the grooves in center of tire are in line with rotation, then curve off to the sides and near perpendicular to rotation at the sides, then it states that the rear tire is mostly looking for traction under power, and the front is looking for traction when braking, so that agrees with my mental picture of it. Basically the grooves are designed to align with the possible angle of your slide as you loose traction, which is why at the side of the tire they are close to perpendicular to rotation, because; that is the direction the rear is going to hang out while in a slide.

What the grooving and siping does is evacuate water. Gives it a means of escaping so it's not between the tire rubber and the pavement. It's not just under braking and acceleration, it also has to work when the bike's leaned over and the forces are lateral cornering forces.

If you really want to see tires meant to evacuate water take a look at the tread patterns of MotoGP rain tires and how different the front and rear tires' tread patterns are.

[bustert]

mr. tom makes a fine point
you could be running slicks and till apply. the rear pattern is supposed to give you more contact since it has to handle applied power. my sport will break traction at 70 on a wet road if too much power is applied, especially with the ball bearing tires, about 2" of contact patch. i prefer the english type tire with 4"+ contact patch. yes, it makes a diff in handling but easily controllable and predictable, no fall off.

[wedge]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

What the grooving and siping does is evacuate water. Gives it a means of escaping so it's not between the tire rubber and the pavement. It's not just under braking and acceleration, it also has to work when the bike's leaned over and the forces are lateral cornering forces.

If you really want to see tires meant to evacuate water take a look at the tread patterns of MotoGP rain tires and how different the front and rear tires' tread patterns are.

Yes, the grooves help evacuate water in all situations, however; the point here is that when designing those grooves, the tire companies look at the front as needing most attention placed on braking, and the rear needs most attention placed on applying power. So the V angles serve best pointing forward (at the contact patch of the tire) as the tire is braking, and pointing rearward as the tire is accelerating.

[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by wedge

...the point here is...

Isn't the point that it's best to install the tire the way the directional arrow(s) show?

[IXL2Relax]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

Isn't the point that it's best to install the tire the way the directional arrow(s) show?

Not exactly ----

The point was to provide an understandable reason why that is important - not simply demand that others agree with it without understanding...

Informed agreement is most often a better choice than simply obeying...


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[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by IXL2Relax

The point was to provide an understandable reason why that is important - not simply demand that others agree with it without understanding...

Informed agreement is most often a better choice than simply obeying...

You might read posts 4 & 23...

This thread was about a tire installed reversed from the direction of rotation arrow...

[IXL2Relax]

Originally Posted by Tomcatt

You might read posts 4 & 23...
This thread was about a tire installed reversed from the direction of rotation arrow...

Reading Comprehension. The OP already resolved to have it corrected.

You might benefit by RE-READING Post #1:
___ ___

Original Poster asked:

Originally Posted by FrameMount1200

I think I have to take it in and ask him to make it right. But I'm still curious: how much does it matter?

He was looking to make an Informed Decision rather than simply doing it...

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[Tomcatt]

Originally Posted by IXL2Relax

He was looking to make an Informed Decision rather than simply doing it...

As I said, read posts 4 & 23. Hope I didn't type too fast for you when I posted...