Bicycle Mechanics - Mixing tire brands and/or sizes

I finally retired my 36 year old Lambert for a Giant FCR3 which I ride about 50 miles per week for enjoyment and fitness. The bike came with Kenda K-West tires, size 700x32 and I thought I would like to have a spare on hand. But I cannot find Kenda K-West tires in that size; the closest size being 700x35; the Kenda USA website does not even list 700x32. I would appreciate your opinions, would it be better to mix sizes and have two Kenda K-West tires or mix brands and have two 700x32 tires?

I'd probably do neither.

Since you're asking I assume that you value having everything match. If that's the case, buy a pair of 700 X 32 tires of your choice. When the first Kenda dies, replace both tires and keep the surviving Kenda as your spare.

What do you mean a spare? Why would you need a spare tire? A spare tube, sure, but a tire? When you need to replace it, just by a couple of better tires than Kenda, that's all. Most Kendas that come stock on new bikes are just heavy garbage, in the same league as the plastic pedals.

I know some people do it, but I have never and will never put tires of different sizes on my bike. I think it affects how it handles in turns and it makes it unpredictable.

I rode for many years with mismatched tires on purpose with no adverse effects. With the type of riding you do it will make no difference. Just replace the tires as they wear out.

What do you mean a spare? Why would you need a spare tire?
Ever cut a tire beyond repair even though it's mate was only a few hundred miles old? That's what a spare is for.


I know some people do it, but I have never and will never put tires of different sizes on my bike. I think it affects how it handles in turns and it makes it unpredictable.
I've never uses mismatched sizes either but I expect that a small size differential would have no noticable effect unless you are racing a crit or decending from the Alps. I've heard of riders intentionally using a smaller front tire than the rear since the weight distribution is tail-heavy on all bikes.

...I've heard of riders intentionally using a smaller front tire than the rear since the weight distribution is tail-heavy on all bikes.
:thumb:

I have also gone as far as using different profiles, a fairly flat (__) profile on the rear for more traction and a rounded () profile up front.

In fact Continental sells a 22/24 combo (Attack/Force) for that purpose. FWIW, I tried it and didn't care for it. I went to the standard Conti 4000 23mm front and back.

Mixing tire sizes — or heaven forbid, brands, has been shown to cause bikes to catch fire. Furthermore, they have on occasion gone back in time and killed your grandmother before your mother was born. Also, it's a leading cause of running out of beer, mosquito bites, and "hot spots" in biking shoes.

Mixing tire sizes — or heaven forbid, brands, has been shown to cause bikes to catch fire. Furthermore, they have on occasion gone back in time and killed your grandmother before your mother was born. Also, it's a leading cause of running out of beer, mosquito bites, and "hot spots" in biking shoes.

Crap, I just knew it. I developed a nasty rash in my crotch after I found some closeout Kendas on sale at Nashbar and mounted one of them. Tried to remedy the crisis by prematurely taking off the old front Michelin and mounting the matching Kenda, but it was too late. The damage had been done and I was out of anti-itch creme.

have you ever seen a motor bike with matched tyres? I used to ride with a 19c tyre on the front and a 23c rear on my road bike, no one sells them anymore (19c) I still am yet to be informed as to why they stopped this trend?