Originally Posted by
ill_switch
If the mechanic doing the install was worth his wage, he'd probably explain the little yellow/orange dots on the new tire, and their intended relationship to the valve stem location and/or wheel trueness/weight when mounting.
(I'm being a snob for the humor potential. I promise!)
I buy value Michelin City tire @ $7 each. No dot but the tire is uni-directional with an arrow on the sidewall. Bike is smooth as silk up to about 43 mph (12% downgrade).
I wouldn't worry about aligning the dot unless you plan to cycle at +35 mph.