welcome_ghost

so i went to my LBS to get some new tires. when i got home, i went to put on the new tires and realized that they sold me two different sizes (a 28 and a 25). i do not really want to make another trip out.

my question is: would riding these two different sized tires make much of a difference compared to two 28s? or does it just come down to personal preference?


Thanks.

Yo!

Personal preference. I use a 28 out back and a 25 in the front. You might like it.

ilikebikes

I'd go back and get what I asked for.

bmcginn

Sounds like it wasn't just their fault. Should have checked before you left. But there is no harm in it. Could try it and you might like it.

ilikebikes

What? he went to the bike shop and bought tires, I'm sure he told them what size he wanted, if he didn't OK then its both their faults, but if he did its the fault of the dumbass at the bike shop, glad he wasn't picking up a prescription at the drug store!

aMull

Was running 38 and 25 before. Doesnt matter at all in the end.

dsh

You will almost certainly die if you run two different sized tires.







Then again, you will almost certainly die even if you don't. It's pretty much a wash.

Brian

Oh, so you remember when this guy tried it?

Leukybear 

You'll live.....

It helps to run the wider tire in the back and the skinnier in the front so you'll gain the advantages of both tires..... handling and grip wise...; think funny car racing lol

bmcginn

I usually double check my purchases before paying for them. Then again I usually get the tires myself. Not hating on you. Just my opinion. It's like double checking your order at taco bell before you pull out of the drive thru

Scrodzilla

Whether you keep the odd sizes or go back and swap one for the right size, you've learned something.

vantassell

They oughta let you take one back, as long as you haven't gone on a ride with them yet, they're pretty much new still. I'd say to take one back and get the right size. As long as a 28 will fit, why not experiment with running a 28 in the back?

bbattle

Sheldon liked to ride with a wider tire up front:

"Mixing/Matching Tires

Most bikes come with identical tires front and rear. This is all right for general use, but if you want to optimize your bike, you should consider using different tires front and rear. The front and rear tires have different loadings and different requirements.
Narrower Front, Wider Rear

If lightness is the primary goal, tire width/weight is limited by the risk of pinch cut flats, a.k.a. "snake bites." Since there is more weight carried on the rear tire, you can get away with a slightly narrower tire in front than you can in back.
Wider Front, Narrower Rear

A wider front tire makes sense in many applications, however, when handling and ride comfort are considered. A wider tire will generally provide better cornering traction than a narrower one, assuming appropriate inflation pressure.
A wider tire also provides superior shock absorbency. I personally prefer a slightly wider tire in front, since I suffer from some wrist discomfort on occasion."

https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#width

Scrodzilla

Back in the day when I raced BMX, it was common for riders to use a wider tire in front for better cornering/traction.

However, if you try doing it now on a road bike (regardless of Sheldon's preference) you'll most likely die.

welcome_ghost

yeah it was my fault for not double checking my purchase before leaving but i grabbed them both out of the same place. oh well, now im experimenting with mixing widths.

thanks for your input fellas.

LupinIII

the mass imbalance between front and rear will throw off your center of mass. if and when you try to skid it will lose traction and cause a certainly horrific accident.

basically you'll die.

Retro Grouch 

BINGO! Nothing is ever a complete loss.

prathmann

Sounds like a good call - no need to make another trip to the shop if it's at all inconvenient. I currently have a 37mm on the back and a 23 mm on the front with no ill effects. I was running 37s but wanted to use a fender in front during our rainy season and it didn't fit with the wider tire. So I switched to the 23mm one I had lying around.

elTwitcho

This is very annoying and people should not do this. Pull out of everyone's way before you start shuffling through your bags, it's inconsiderate as hell

dbgray21

but then if it is wrong you have to get out your car and walk inside. screw that. i'll be inconsiderate and warm.

dooodstevenn

you should have checked b4 u left, but its fine, i ride a 28 in front and a 23 on back, so my front tires dont slip as often when going up driveways sideways

ADSR

If I was in the car behind you I would give you ten seconds after the transaction was completed to pull out. After that you'd get a courtesy tap on the horn. Another five seconds and I would lean on the horn until you moved.

WoundedKnee

I have 25c in back and 28c in front... just because the rear is a Panaracer puncture resistant and I'd rather get a flat in the front than the back.

PedallingATX

or you could just not eat crappy drive thru food...

Brian

Taco Bell is definitely the worst.