ScrubJ

I read some time back the correct position of tire name/brand once installed on the rim. I know, I think, that it is supposed to center on the stem, but which side should it be on if only branded on one side of the tire?

I do know that some are directional and must be installed as such no matter which side it might be branded on.

TIA
Keith

cascade168

The tire label should be centered on the stem on the drive side of the bike, unless, as you have noted, this conflicts with the directional arrow.

This really has nothing to do with the operation of the tire, but, by centering the label on the stem, you make flats easier to diagnose. It's mostly a style "thing". You will notice that you almost never see a picture of a bike in any cycling magazine that is not of the drive side of the bike.

well biked

Yes, some consider it correct to have the tire's label line up with the valve stem. There's not a really strong functional reason, it's more aesthetics and a sign of paying attention to detail than anything I believe. As for which side the label goes on, yes, if there's a directional arrow on the tire, and you're a stickler for detail, that would determine which side the label is on.........One functional reason for the label to line up with the valve stem is that it gives a point of reference in case of a flat and you're trying to determine where on the tire the puncture occurred. If you know the label lines up with the valve stem, then you have a known reference point to start with, even if the tube's off the rim. As far as the directional arrows, it's not really necessary to follow them with road tires, but again, for some it's a matter of paying attention to details. I'm one to line the label up with the valve stem and follow the directional arrows, but to each his/her own-

jwa

Agree.

Sometimes we style snobs really are right

europa

But wouldn't also be a style thing to deliberately place the label just off to one side ... annoy you style snobs

Richard

due ruote 

Just the kind of devil-may-care individualism I'd expect from someone down under.

Myself, I prefer to line up the psi rating with the valve stem, rather than the label. There's some German pragmatism on my mother's side.

Actually, I prefer to ride tubulars, if only so I don't have to decide where to put the label.

jwa

Ah, now I understand. So it's kinda like baseball caps: regular folk wear the bill in front; fancy guys with the bill in back; the really stylin' twist the bill diagonally off to the side like rappers.

Maybe that's true of helmets, also - for ... those ... who .. wear ... them

bh357

I also line up the psi markings with the valve stem. Easy to find if you forget how many psi you can/should put in a particular tire.

europa

I like that psi idea and will attempt to remember it next time I'm fidding with tyres - the search for the rotten thing is one of the banes of cycle maintenance

Richard

capwater

Back in my MTB days the belief was you line up the label with the stem so you can quickly find the stem for inflating/deflating when changing a flat. Don't see where it saves a heck of a lot of time, but it's one of the many good or bad habits I picked up from more senior guys.

operator

No it saves a heck a lot of frustration when it's pouring rain and it's a very small sliver of glass and you already KNOW about where to look for.

Instead of concentrating 900% for the full 360 degree of tire rubber. It is VERY useful to know where the puncture hole is when it is small.

webist

I agree. I have saved a good deal of search time after noting the recommendation to line up label and stem.

masi61

When the tire has a label on only one side, I center the label on the valve stem but on the non-drive side. Mainly I do this because I want my tire to look decent longer. I ride in the rain in the fair amount and use various "wet" lubes on my chain, and we all know what happens to your rear wheel and the back end of your bike when you ride in a downpour. Sometimes after such events I will scrub the sidewall down with diluted simple green and a scrub brush and flood with clean H2O. But if I choose to wait a week or two, I can still see the label pretty good opposite of the freewheel/cassette.

Pwnt

Wow, who knew!?

Learned something new today.....Thanks guys!

Sheldon Brown

...but the PSI markings on tires are MEANINGLESS NOISE! Experienced cyclists have learned to ignore them, and use the pressure that works best for their riding conditions.

See: https://sheldonbrown.com/pressure

Sheldon "Tire Pressure Matters!" Brown

rmfnla

You mean you don't get to decide where to put the label.

I was once told by a racing wrench that having the stem over the label made it easier to locate the stem quickly for mid-race top-ups.

I don't know if it's true but it sounded good at the time.

humble_biker

yippee! +10

Al1943

Aligning the label with the stem is not about style or appearance. The real reason is to index the tire to the tube and rim to help you analyze flats or other wheel problems. Once you've located the hole in the tube, if the stem is aligned with the label there can be only two locations on the tire or rim that line up with the hole.

Al

aadhils

I never bother about the orientation of the label in relation to the valve. When I get a flat, I keep the tube in relation to how it was with the tire so when I inflate the tube and see the hole, I can check the relative section of the tire for the reason for the puncture. It hasn't failed me yet...

p.s. I haven't come across a tube puncture hole yet that was too small to detect.

noisebeam

Like others I find it useful to find what caused the puncture.

But I wonder if anyone has advise on how to quickly note which way the tube was installed without mentally keeping the tube lined up with tire after taking it out.

I've thought about putting a dab of whiteout/paint on one side of the valve stem - something that shows up well in the darker times.

Al

AGuinness

Centering label over valve = aesthetic common sense.

ScrubJ

Well, that sure got a lot more responses than I had planned

Thanks to all for your input.

Keith

yeamac 

Thanks for the helpful information.

Instead of Senior Member under your name, might I suggest you put Yoda.

ScrubJ

+100

JanMM

If the tire hums contentedly when cruising at speed, then you know that you have placed the label correctly.