Bicycle Mechanics - Tire wear

Is it normal for the rear tire to wear at a much higher rate then the front? I just replaced mine and was surprised at how thin the tread was on the rear. Does anyone here actually rotate tires from front to back periodically. Just curious.

Rear tires wear at about twice the rate of front tires.

Is it normal for the rear tire to wear at a much higher rate then the front? I just replaced mine and was surprised at how thin the tread was on the rear. Does anyone here actually rotate tires from front to back periodically. Just curious.

Yes. The rear tire carries most of the weight, and will wear out much faster. Rotating the front tire to the rear isn't a big deal, but you really shouldn't rotate the rear tire to the front.

Rear tires wear out much faster. In fact front tires will hardly show any wear thousands of miles after the rear tire is just a memory. I've weighed the same front tire new and then after 7,000 miles and the weights were within 10 grams of each other.

That doesn't mean a front tire will last forever. Light, heat, flexing and impacts have their effect so the tire will have to be replaced even if it looks fine. My drill is to replace the front tire after two rear tires have been discarded.

When the rear is worn, move the front to the rear and replace the it with a new one. That way you always have the best tire in the front for handling purposes.