I am very happy with 48x17, but want to go up a bit, which would lead to 48x16, which I want to avoid, so I am looking at going 49x17, then later to x16 since going up one chainring tooth is too tiny a difference. But since I don't skid 48x16 should be ok for me.

But I wonder if wear patches are only caused by skidding? Since I accererate from stops with the same crank position and same foot forward, doesn't this wear the tire out in patches too, although slower than skidding?

Said differently: Rear tires on all bikes wear much faster than front, primarily because they transfer power. If that power transfer is not even across the crank rotation, won't that cause uneven tire wear in patches?

Al