When did tires become directional?
01-30-11, 05:20 PM
#1
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
When did tires become directional?
And when/why did it become "compulsory" to mount them with the label at the valve stem? A directional tread at least requires the label be on a particular side (and on the right only if the manufacturer made it that way). But I see no reason for the position other than style and perhaps convenience of reading the pressure when pumping up.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
01-30-11, 05:26 PM
#2
Full Member
Placing the label at the valve stem can also make it easier to identify where a puncture occurred.
Plus I think it looks a little neater if you take a little extra time to line thing up.
When did they become directional? I suppose there are some designs which consider water displacement or whatever else you roll over. I would guess the gain from having it one way or the other isn't really noticeable though.
Plus I think it looks a little neater if you take a little extra time to line thing up.
When did they become directional? I suppose there are some designs which consider water displacement or whatever else you roll over. I would guess the gain from having it one way or the other isn't really noticeable though.
01-30-11, 05:27 PM
#3
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
The label gives you a reference point when you have a puncture. Pull the bad tube, find the hole then use valve location as a reference for checking the tire for wire, glass etc. Rotational tires are generally marked with an arrow.
habes beat me to it.
habes beat me to it.
01-30-11, 06:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,752 Times
in
939 Posts
I have quite a few bicycles and I always position the tire pressure information next to the valve stem. I do this for practical reasons since I cannot remember how much pressure to assign to each tire. Some bikes I own run a 25mm on the back and a 23mm on the front. That means I have two tire pressures to remember on some bikes.
Anyway, this is what works for me.
Anyway, this is what works for me.
01-30-11, 06:40 PM
#5
Stop reading my posts!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 12,584
Mentioned: 90 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1444 Post(s)
Liked 1,064 Times
in
788 Posts
to paraphrase Sheldon: it's a crock since a bicycle never attains speeds (or weighs enough) in which the directional pattern of treads comes into play...mount them "backwards", it makes no difference. He would endorse the practice of lining up the label with valve stem, so do I.
https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#direction
mandrake:I should add that he says this about road tires, and specifically concerning hydroplaning...not off-road tires
https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#direction
mandrake:I should add that he says this about road tires, and specifically concerning hydroplaning...not off-road tires
Last edited by unworthy1; 01-30-11 at 07:00 PM.
01-30-11, 06:47 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 197
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What about on a mtn. bike with knobbies? I have some tires where reversing the tread pattern look like it would decrease traction and not ride as well on smooth surfaces and maybe wear out prematurely. I always go with the direction stated on all tires. There is no apparent reason not to.
01-30-11, 06:47 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,392
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
25 Posts
And when/why did it become "compulsory" to mount them with the label at the valve stem? A directional tread at least requires the label be on a particular side (and on the right only if the manufacturer made it that way). But I see no reason for the position other than style and perhaps convenience of reading the pressure when pumping up.
I always center the valve stem on the label on the drive side because it makes it look like the bike has been worked on by a professional that cares about doing quality work.
01-30-11, 06:55 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 197
Bikes: 1986 Miele Elite S, SunTour Sprint
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1 on lining up the stem and valve for both looks and puncture finding, but i've never even noticed tires have directions, then again i only ride 700x23c's which are almost all slick
01-30-11, 06:59 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,055
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,804 Times
in
1,408 Posts
Same reason why you can read the logo on the hub through the rim's valve hole. Also to keep track of flats. Directional treads are just plain silly.
01-30-11, 08:59 PM
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,410 Times
in
910 Posts
I've run tires the wrong direction without knowing it. I've also run them the correct direction without knowing it.
So, go figure.
The only ones I run now that are that way are Continental Attack/Force, which are separate front/rear and are directional.
Still not sure it means that much.
As far as the label on the drive side centered on the valve?
I've done it that way since LBS ridiculed me for not doing it.
For me, then, it's because of humiliation.
So, go figure.
The only ones I run now that are that way are Continental Attack/Force, which are separate front/rear and are directional.
Still not sure it means that much.
As far as the label on the drive side centered on the valve?
I've done it that way since LBS ridiculed me for not doing it.
For me, then, it's because of humiliation.
01-30-11, 09:04 PM
#11
Senior Member
I know that in mountain biking some people install certain tires in the wrong direction to increase traction.
01-30-11, 09:14 PM
#12
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,329 Times
in
837 Posts
I had a pair of WTB mountain bike tires in which the recommended front and rear tread orientations were opposite, presumably for traction at the rear and braking at the front. With road tires, I have never noted any difference.
Asthetically, I like to put my valve stems exactly 180 degrees across from the centers of the labels. This accomplishes the same goal of looking professional and helping to locate the source of a puncture.
Asthetically, I like to put my valve stems exactly 180 degrees across from the centers of the labels. This accomplishes the same goal of looking professional and helping to locate the source of a puncture.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-30-11, 09:33 PM
#13
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Yes, well, all these answers are what I expected, sort of. I'll grant that it may make finding a puncture easier but I've never had much trouble finding one. (Usually they find me!)
All my tires are installed "correctly" but it seems like much ado about not much. Which is to say, I do it that way because other people expect me to. (I don't mind being a conformist if that's what everybody else does.) When I'm riding neither I nor anyone else is likely to notice which side the label is on or how it lines up with the valve stem.
As for it being a sign that a professional cares about his work, ah, that sounds remarkably like "compulsory" to me. Considering some of the things I've seen some professionals do wrong, I'd just as soon they focus on more important things. (Which that's just my opinion, for all love.)
Thanks for the replies.
All my tires are installed "correctly" but it seems like much ado about not much. Which is to say, I do it that way because other people expect me to. (I don't mind being a conformist if that's what everybody else does.) When I'm riding neither I nor anyone else is likely to notice which side the label is on or how it lines up with the valve stem.
As for it being a sign that a professional cares about his work, ah, that sounds remarkably like "compulsory" to me. Considering some of the things I've seen some professionals do wrong, I'd just as soon they focus on more important things. (Which that's just my opinion, for all love.)
Thanks for the replies.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
01-30-11, 09:39 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Directional tires . . .
All my tires run great going forward.
All my tires run great going forward.
01-30-11, 09:47 PM
#15
Senior Member
Hmm... If it makes you feel any better and more "off the hook" for doing it the "right" way, I haven't been into the whole road biking thing very long and have never really cared or worried about it. However, now that it was mentioned, I do think it might look a little more put together to put the labels opposite the valve stem. Just to balance out the look. I've thought about it for a split second when reading about it before and am actually slightly opposed to the whole label with the stem thing simply because I think it makes the tire look visually unbalanced.
01-30-11, 10:45 PM
#16
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
In the old days tires didn't come with a direction arrow embossed in the sidewall. But I can't read 'em from the saddle. I'll afraid one day I'll get on the bike and start going the wrong way.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
01-30-11, 11:41 PM
#17
Senior Member
Ah, didn't think of that(I don't think any of my rims have labels). Well in that case I'm just back to not really caring.
01-31-11, 02:53 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Although I usually mounted my tires correctly I never thought it made much difference until a ride a couple years ago. I had Bontrager 700 x 35 Select K tires mounted on my Trek 520 touring bike. As it was winter I had fenders installed on the bike. Snow had been on the ground for 3-4 weeks previously but was gone when I started an 80 mile ride. The road shoulder was muddy with a real fine, silty mud. About 15 miles into the ride I had a three mile descent. When I got to the bottom the bike felt like the brakes were dragging. After checking it over I realized that the front tire was mounted backwards, and as a result mud built up and was impacted on the underside of the fender. I scraped off and then turned the wheel around. Since it was the front, of course, I didn't need to dismount/remount the tire. The ride was fine from then on with no more build up of mud. I haven't mounted a tire the wrong way since.
01-31-11, 06:07 AM
#19
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
As GB suggests it's about being professional and deliberately not mounting tires this way as a statement of nonconformity doesn't make a lot of sense.
Guess you never shave your legs either
01-31-11, 07:08 AM
#20
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
Okay, so there's lots of support for the idea that the tire label goes on the right side of the bike, lined up with the valve. I get that.
And most of you say this helps find the source of flat tires. I don't get that. Or do you mark the right side of your tubes as well? I did that once, with a silver sharpie, but, as luck would have it, it didn't help me find the source of flats (on this particular wheel the problem was always on the rim strip side) and I haven't made a habit of it.
And most of you say this helps find the source of flat tires. I don't get that. Or do you mark the right side of your tubes as well? I did that once, with a silver sharpie, but, as luck would have it, it didn't help me find the source of flats (on this particular wheel the problem was always on the rim strip side) and I haven't made a habit of it.
01-31-11, 07:30 AM
#21
.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,763
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
13 Posts
I once was told I had my front wheel on wrong; the QR lever was on the wrong side.
01-31-11, 08:02 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,084
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
awesome that you can reverse your front wheel without dismounting. =P seriously, kip's anecdote is a valuable one in terms of this discussion.
fwiw, you can still buy bi-directional tires, such as vittoria zafiro and maxxis re-fuse.
-rob
01-31-11, 08:18 AM
#23
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2298 Post(s)
Liked 2,055 Times
in
1,255 Posts
If your hole is 10 inches from the valve and you don't remember which way the tube was oriented then yes you may have to check two possible tire locations. It still drastically cuts the amount of surface area and time you have to spend examining the tire in your search for what might be a minuscule piece of wire. Running your fingers around the inside may not do it for you. This has paid off for me more than a couple of times.
01-31-11, 09:19 AM
#24
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
My original post was asking "When did it become traditional?" Maybe it was traditional back in 1972 when I started riding but I sure didn't notice, and wouldn't have noticed one way or the other anyway. But, umm, isn't "tradition" a form of conformism? 
Tradition includes steel frames with horizontal top tubes, does'n'it?
[I'm just pulling a few chains here.]
Tradition includes steel frames with horizontal top tubes, does'n'it?
[I'm just pulling a few chains here.]
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
01-31-11, 12:03 PM
#25
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,985
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26425 Post(s)
Liked 10,381 Times
in
7,209 Posts
Occupies That Much More Brain Function
And when/why did it become "compulsory" to mount them with the label at the valve stem? A directional tread at least requires the label be on a particular side (and on the right only if the manufacturer made it that way). But I see no reason for the position other than style and perhaps convenience of reading the pressure when pumping up.
One should never discount the importance of ritual in human endeavor.
__________________