Mixed tire sizes?
04-18-08, 01:48 PM
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Mixed tire sizes?
Does anyone know how big of a deal this creates to mix diff. sized tires front and back. I have a MTB with 2.125 Bontrager Urban Earls on it (road use only) and had a front get damaged. I have a new Bontrager Select in a 1.5 stowed away. Similar style tread patterns. I would think it might change the handling (cornering) characteristics some but, I just don't know. I was going to toss it on for a try until I can get to the shop to pick up another Earl. Any concerns? Will I be testing my helmet?
04-18-08, 02:05 PM
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I would put the smaller tire on the front and keep on riding. Some road bike tire sets are sold with smaller front tires.
Al
Al
04-18-08, 03:09 PM
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Here's what Sheldon had to say about mixing tire sizes: https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#mixing
04-18-08, 05:13 PM
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I prefer to use a wider tire on the front where I live. For offroad use it helps me float over the soft stuff, sand and loose rock, while the narrower rear keeps speed up. For on-road use, especially with pavement intersections that have a lot of loose gravel, silt, or rock, the wider front gives a predictable understeer that has kept me from a lot of nasty crashes when I begin to slide.
04-18-08, 06:10 PM
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Here's what Sheldon had to say about mixing tire sizes: https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#mixing
04-18-08, 06:21 PM
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I built a full ridged bike for racing with a 2.25 Nobby Nic on the front and a 1.8 Nobby Nic with the center knobs cut off for the rear.
Handling was improved as well as speed on hardpack.
Handling was improved as well as speed on hardpack.
