Bicycle Mechanics - Michelin Speedium Tires - Which Direction?

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Philcycle
02-24-07, 08:56 AM
Hey all, I just bought a set of Speediums & there are a bunch of V cuts in the center of the tread. If I'm looking directly at the front of the front tire, should those V's be pointing up or down? There isn't a directional arrow on the tire, either. Thanks!http://www.probikeoutlet.com/images/Michelin%20Spedium%20Clincher.JPG

Quijibo187
02-24-07, 09:14 AM
If there's no directional arrow on the sidewall, just make it so the V on the tire points the way the tire will rotate.
Sheldon Brown
02-24-07, 09:15 AM
Hey all, I just bought a set of Speediums & there are a bunch of V cuts in the center of the tread. If I'm looking directly at the front of the front tire, should those V's be pointing up or down? There isn't a directional arrow on the tire, either. Thanks!http://www.probikeoutlet.com/images/Michelin%20Spedium%20Clincher.JPG
Tread on road bike tires is purely ornamental, so it doesn't actually matter a lick.

For situations where the tread does matter, chevron type patterns generally want to be installed so the point of the chevron hits the ground first, i.e., as you look down at the top of the tire, it looks like this:


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Sheldon "Stylin'" Brown

Philcycle
02-24-07, 09:22 AM
Thanks! That's actually what I thought - the point should hit first to possibly help if the ground is wet, & it would channel the water away to an extent. Just wanted to make sure. I appreciate the help as always, guys!
operator
02-24-07, 09:24 AM
the point should hit first to possibly help if the ground is wet, & it would channel the water away to an extent. J

Actually that's not the point of treads. They serve no function in "channelling water" in wet conditions as bikes can't hydroplane. At least not at any speed anybody will ever ride at.
Bill Kapaun
02-24-07, 10:28 AM
http://www.canosoarus.com/08LSRbicycle/Bicycle%20Images/152%20in%20tow.JPG

http://www.canosoarus.com/08LSRbicycle/LSR%20Bike01.htm
AndrewP
02-24-07, 03:19 PM
Tread on road bike tires is purely ornamental, so it doesn't actually matter a lick.


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Sheldon "Stylin'" Brown

So thats why you dont say which way is towards the front of the bike.
Sheldon Brown
02-24-07, 09:10 PM
So thats why you dont say which way is towards the front of the bike.
Actually I did, but you snipped that out of the part of the message you quoted.

Wheels are round, so they face different directions on different parts of the wheel.

At the top, they face forward.

At the front, they face downward.

At the bottom, they face backward.

At the back, they face upward.

Except it really doesn't matter.

Sheldon "Clockwise, Viewed From The Right" Brown