Mountain Biking - Newbie here with tire question

Hi all. I am fairly new to Mtn Biking. Living in Colorado its fast becoming my 2nd favorite sport. I have a Gary Fisher Sugar. Before buying I had rented one. The rental came with a wider front tire than rear tire. It seemed much more stable. What is the reason for a wider front tire? Should I change mine out. I am a bit of a wienie.

Hope that this is not to stupid a question. Thanks

I had a slightly larger front tire than rear for a while, but it was just because I couldn't find a bigger rear tire with a tread I liked. I didn't see any real difference either way. Go for it if you want. Anybody know a good reason for doing this, though?

For a good explanation go to:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#mixing

The bigger tire in front helps with control. A good 1.9 rear tire is fine, but I find 1.9 tires in the front too narrow and not sticky enough in turns.
I run 2.1 front and rear because I like the looks better, but I did put a 1.9 on the rear to try it out, and I found my bike accelerated better than with a 2.1. I guess the extra traction and wieght of the 2.1 slows me down a little.

Thanks all. Bikerider thanks for the link. Glad to know that it was not all in my mind. I certainly felt more stable and confident with a wider front tire.

Kima...just curious...what's your 1st favorite sport if MTBing is 2nd?

:)

Well, OctoberBlue I thought that Colorado would give it away. Downhill Skiing!! Although we also, hike, snowshoe, X-Country too. Really anything that gets me outside I am usally OK with.

In a few weeks, scuba diving will top the list. In the midst of planning a 2 week dive trip in late May. Not much to do here once the lifts stop till the snow melts. :)

Ah! Skiing...of course. Here in Cleveland we haven't seen much snow this past winter at all. (We still had the cold, rainy precip. and gray skies though.) My boyfriend & I kept wanting to do some XC skiing, but the little snow that we did get (not enough for XC) -- well, it never stayed around long enough to last the weekend. There's always next year.

Meanwhile, spring is right around the corner and Daylight Savings time ends this weekend! Finally can get some decent ride time in.

:D