Do you rotate tires?
01-16-12, 12:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Bay
Posts: 274
Bikes: Globe Vienna 3 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you rotate tires?
So, I have about 1500-2000 miles on my current tires. The rear is certainly wearing much faster than the front.
So, i decided to rotate them.
Does anyone else do this?
Can anyone "read" from my tire wear, any potential issues i may have?
I know that maybe the "normal" practice is to buy new tires one at a time, but why not wear them evenly and get two new ones when needed?
So, i decided to rotate them.
Does anyone else do this?
Can anyone "read" from my tire wear, any potential issues i may have?
I know that maybe the "normal" practice is to buy new tires one at a time, but why not wear them evenly and get two new ones when needed?
01-16-12, 12:52 AM
#2
Low car diet
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Posts: 2,407
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
01-16-12, 01:10 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
sheldon says (paraphrasing) buy a new tire for the front, put the old front tire on the rear, throw away the old rear tire.
makes sense, as he almost always does.
makes sense, as he almost always does.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 01-16-12 at 02:05 AM.
01-16-12, 01:56 AM
#5
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,898
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4123 Post(s)
Liked 2,682 Times
in
1,463 Posts
Front tire is far more important for braking and steering... plus you really don't want it to pop on a diving downhill corner. Rear tire pretty much just holds you up. Rotate front to rear, put a new one on the front.
01-16-12, 03:45 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Warwick, UK
Posts: 1,049
Bikes: 2000-something 3 speed commuter, 1990-something Raleigh Scorpion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It's debatable whether rotating or not rotating actually gets any more life out of your tyres overall, but it is a good idea to make sure the best tyre is at the front, since a front blowout is harder to control. When the rear tyre wears out, move the front tyre to the back and put the new one on the front. It's a similar idea to mechanics putting the new tyres on the rear wheels of a car when only changing two (on the grounds that oversteer is harder to control than understeer)
01-16-12, 06:06 AM
#7
Senior Member
nashvillwill, Rotation will garner the most mileage that a pair of tires can deliver, same as with tires on a car. I doubt that there will be an issue with your worn tire on the front as it appears to be in pretty good condition.
Brad
PS To answer the question, I haven't rotated the tires on my roadies as they don't have much tread to start with. The touring bike's tires do have some tread and I think I'll rotate the tires on it.
Brad
PS To answer the question, I haven't rotated the tires on my roadies as they don't have much tread to start with. The touring bike's tires do have some tread and I think I'll rotate the tires on it.
01-16-12, 07:29 AM
#8
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,260
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 300 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25347 Post(s)
Liked 9,262 Times
in
6,450 Posts
On my car.............When I remember.
__________________
01-16-12, 08:33 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 785
Bikes: Too many to count
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I do once. I don't if I have any questions about the rear tire.
If I feel the rear tire has been compromised at any time it
stays on the rear. Any doubts about the front and it gets
put on the back and new front or the rear if it is still good.
If I feel the rear tire has been compromised at any time it
stays on the rear. Any doubts about the front and it gets
put on the back and new front or the rear if it is still good.
01-16-12, 08:39 AM
#10
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,087
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1319 Post(s)
Liked 1,149 Times
in
578 Posts
I don't. Mine seem to get cut up before they wear out.
Always keep a good one on the front.
Always keep a good one on the front.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
01-16-12, 09:49 AM
#11
Senior Member
No.
Leave the rear alone until it wears out (that tire seems ok so far). Then, when you purchase a new tire, put this new tire on the front, and put the current front tire on the rear. Been doing it for 20 plus years.
Rather than buying two new tires, say every 2 years, you're buying one a year.
That is provided the tires are not front and rear specific, as is the case on some off-road tires.
If you do decide to rotate them, then do it more often then 1500 miles and inspect the tires carefully each time.
You can see some significant "squaring" on that rear tire, the trick is not to let it get too far ahead and to keep the "squaring" effect as even as possible.
But we've already talked you out of this right?
Leave the rear alone until it wears out (that tire seems ok so far). Then, when you purchase a new tire, put this new tire on the front, and put the current front tire on the rear. Been doing it for 20 plus years.
Rather than buying two new tires, say every 2 years, you're buying one a year.
That is provided the tires are not front and rear specific, as is the case on some off-road tires.
If you do decide to rotate them, then do it more often then 1500 miles and inspect the tires carefully each time.
You can see some significant "squaring" on that rear tire, the trick is not to let it get too far ahead and to keep the "squaring" effect as even as possible.
But we've already talked you out of this right?
01-16-12, 09:54 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,944
Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 390 Post(s)
Liked 174 Times
in
113 Posts
I get around 1000 miles on a set and then if the rear has had no issues I rotate it to the front. I manage to get about 3500 miles on Vreds this way probably could get more but tires are not that expensive for what they do. I prefer to change them in pairs this way.
01-16-12, 09:59 AM
#13
Banned.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 937
Bikes: CCM Torino 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
When my rear tire wears out I replace it with the lightly worn front tire and buy a new one for the front. I do not think this actually increases the mileage I get fromt he tires, but it is important to keep a good tire on the front.
As mentioned above, this is not practical when you hanve front and rear specific tires. For this reason, I do not buy tires that are front or rear specific for any of my bikes.
As mentioned above, this is not practical when you hanve front and rear specific tires. For this reason, I do not buy tires that are front or rear specific for any of my bikes.
01-16-12, 07:15 PM
#14
Advisor
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central New Jersey
Posts: 544
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I always rotate my tires and prefer to rotate them every 1,000 miles but I'd say do it every 1,000, 1,500, or no more than 2,000 miles. I prefer to buy 2 new tires rather than one tire and I also like to try different brand tires so I rotate mine to even the tire wear.
I do notice when I rotate them, the front handles differently for a few hundred miles until the front tire wears in.
I don't know anything about "good" tire goes on the front. If the tire is bad, throw it out. If good refers to the most tread, that's bogus, bike tires don't have much tread to begin with, most are flat, slicks, no tread, so that doesn't make sense. I think the good tire goes on the front is a misused term for bike tires from car tires. Car tires the best tires goes on the front. What good that does to a bike tire, I don't know. Again, the tires are bald to begin with.
I do notice when I rotate them, the front handles differently for a few hundred miles until the front tire wears in.
I don't know anything about "good" tire goes on the front. If the tire is bad, throw it out. If good refers to the most tread, that's bogus, bike tires don't have much tread to begin with, most are flat, slicks, no tread, so that doesn't make sense. I think the good tire goes on the front is a misused term for bike tires from car tires. Car tires the best tires goes on the front. What good that does to a bike tire, I don't know. Again, the tires are bald to begin with.
01-16-12, 08:09 PM
#16
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,898
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4123 Post(s)
Liked 2,682 Times
in
1,463 Posts
I always rotate my tires and prefer to rotate them every 1,000 miles but I'd say do it every 1,000, 1,500, or no more than 2,000 miles. I prefer to buy 2 new tires rather than one tire and I also like to try different brand tires so I rotate mine to even the tire wear.
I do notice when I rotate them, the front handles differently for a few hundred miles until the front tire wears in.
I don't know anything about "good" tire goes on the front. If the tire is bad, throw it out. If good refers to the most tread, that's bogus, bike tires don't have much tread to begin with, most are flat, slicks, no tread, so that doesn't make sense. I think the good tire goes on the front is a misused term for bike tires from car tires. Car tires the best tires goes on the front. What good that does to a bike tire, I don't know. Again, the tires are bald to begin with.
I do notice when I rotate them, the front handles differently for a few hundred miles until the front tire wears in.
I don't know anything about "good" tire goes on the front. If the tire is bad, throw it out. If good refers to the most tread, that's bogus, bike tires don't have much tread to begin with, most are flat, slicks, no tread, so that doesn't make sense. I think the good tire goes on the front is a misused term for bike tires from car tires. Car tires the best tires goes on the front. What good that does to a bike tire, I don't know. Again, the tires are bald to begin with.
A worn tire is more likely to have a blowout, which would be more dangerous on the front, but other than that there really isn't THAT much reason for the front tire to be better than the rear... it just works out nicely to buy the new front and swap the rear out... once you decide on the kind of tires you want to keep buying.
01-16-12, 08:11 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 37,646
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 134 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5246 Post(s)
Liked 1,539 Times
in
879 Posts
The tires rotate whenever I turn the pedals, other than that I leave them alone until something happens.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
01-16-12, 08:14 PM
#18
Senior Member
When my rear tire is getting worn I throw it out. I leave the front on usually through 2 rears. The only rotation I may do is the front to the trainer.
01-17-12, 05:51 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-17-12, 07:59 AM
#21
Senior Member
This.
01-17-12, 08:40 AM
#22
Still spinnin'.....
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Whitestown, IN
Posts: 1,208
Bikes: Fisher Opie freeride/urban assault MTB, Redline Monocog 29er MTB, Serrota T-Max Commuter, Klein Rascal SS, Salsa Campion Road bike, Pake Rum Runner FG/SS Road bike, Cannondale Synapse Road bike, Santana Arriva Road Tandem, and others....
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Never. Listen to Sheldon, again......
01-17-12, 08:47 AM
#23
Banned.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 937
Bikes: CCM Torino 76
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My experience has been that a more worn tire, not necessarily damaged or cut, will flat more frequently than a new one or one that is less worn. In fact, I use frequency of flats to be my indicator that a tire is worn. This is why I always have the newest tire up front.
01-17-12, 11:29 AM
#24
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,560
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3850 Post(s)
Liked 2,506 Times
in
1,545 Posts
01-17-12, 01:26 PM
#25
Fat but Fit!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 174
Bikes: Lynskey R340, Lynskey R230, Fisher Zebrano
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have read Sheldon's article and do rotate my road tires. I have never experienced any of the concerns Sheldon posits, as much as I respected him.
It kind of works out for me - as my my typical yearly mileage is from 1,300 to 1,500 miles, so I can squeeze two seasons out of a pair of quality tires. If I don't rotate, the rear is toast by 2,000 miles. FWIW, by 500-750 miles after rotation, it's difficult to tell the tires apart.
I will offer the following caveats: 1) I don't race, I'm in the 18-20mph range when riding solo; and 2) I'm a bigger guy(225ish).
It kind of works out for me - as my my typical yearly mileage is from 1,300 to 1,500 miles, so I can squeeze two seasons out of a pair of quality tires. If I don't rotate, the rear is toast by 2,000 miles. FWIW, by 500-750 miles after rotation, it's difficult to tell the tires apart.
I will offer the following caveats: 1) I don't race, I'm in the 18-20mph range when riding solo; and 2) I'm a bigger guy(225ish).
