ColonelSanders

Actually I will set up this post as 2 questions.

1.) Now I'm not talking about something like running a 40mm on the rear and a 35mm on the front, but rather if you had two different brands of tyre on your bike, but both of similar quality & characteristics, instead of just the same brand on front & rear?

I'm thinking it should not matter, but wanted to hear the opinions of people who have a lot more experience in riding than I have.

2.) What about using a grippier tyre on the front and a more puncture resistant one on the rear(whether it is from the same manufacturer or not)?

Does any one here do this?

Wanderer

I can't think of a single downside, as I mix sizes exactly as you described. Nothing but good experiences.

As far as other manufacturers , when we were kids, I can't remember having the same tires on a bike, after they wore out the OEMS....

Little Darwin

No matter what you do, if it is unusual, a minority of people will snicker at how idiotic "xxx" is. As long as you can ignore small minded people that would take such a view, there should be no issues. Also, some people do use different sized tires... I have not tried it yet myself, but some people like the livelier handling with a narrower front tire, with the cushion of a larger rear tire.

I don't ride aggressively enough to need extra traction on my front tire, but if you do, I see no issue with combining a puncture resistant rear with a grippy front. However, have you considered using a puncture resistant pair of tires and running the front tire at a lower pressure? I have recently started inflating my tires to maximum inflation on the rear, and 90% of maximum on the front, and it seems to be efficient and handle well with my sedate riding, while reducing road buzz. However, depending on your needs, that may not address your issues. The inflation should be proper for the amount of weight supported by each tire, and the rear always carries more weight than the front.

badger1

Functionally? None I can think of.
Do I do that? No. Two reasons.
1. I replace my tires in a pattern; since rears wear much quicker than fronts, when the rear is worn it is discarded; relatively unworn front goes to rear, new tire on front.
2. I'm far too OCD; labels have to be identical and perfectly aligned over valve stems.

Little Darwin

I don't do this, but I do something for similar effect (even though I would never have issues with someone riding different brands). I buy tires in sets of 3. one for each wheel, and one to replace the rear once it is worn. Once the second rear is worn, I repeat with 3 new tires.

ColonelSanders

You were the one who alerted me to the notion of doing this.


I’m not worried about people being unimpressed with what I do, just wondering if there was some technical issue that I was unaware of, that I should consider.


I can relate to that.

So obviously you find that by the time you have worn out two rear tyres, the front is also worn down enough that you want to replace it?

I’m noticing how much more tread I have on my front tyre at the moment and I could easily imagine that I might get 3 or more rear tyres to every front.

Wanderer

Since my front tire sees, probably, 99% of braking action, it seems to wear out the same as two rears. I also try to buy in multiples of two or three, size dependent. Plus, my legs don't make mountains of power!

Little Darwin

Actually, the issue is that many times before I go through 2 rear tires, I have found another tire I want to go with. I agree, if the same tires are around long enough, a 3 or 4 to 1 ratio would be better. I have read (I believe on the Sheldon Brown site) that if you choose to replace one tire, it is best to keep the newest one on the front, but this would rely on the same tire (or one similar enough) to be around forever to continue the progression.

Perhaps when I get to needing to mount my third tire, I will swap the current front to the rear and start that rotation if I feel like staying with the same tire. So far they seem to be a tire I like for my style of riding (rail trails etc).