What's up with that?!
 

I'm using Continental Ultra 2000's on my commuter. Fine tires AFAICTATBAP (as far as I can tell at thirty bucks a pop,) but...

The orange sidewall label is on the right side on my rear tire, but on the left on my front.

Try putting one of them on the other way next time you have a flat.

Oops! Now I'm talking to myself! Some say that's the first sign of insanity.

Still, when no one else is talking to me, I figure, why wait?

:thumbup:

"Normally", whatever that means ;) , the label is on the right side but there are always exceptions...

My Conti Grand Prix 3000 (on my road bike) and my Vittoria Rubino Kevlar (on my commuter) have the label on both sides of the tires. Figure that one out. :confused: :eek: ;)

Actually, on many brands of tires, you should check directional arrows. The Continental Top Touring, for instance, have a directional arrow that should point one way for the driven wheel (aka rear wheel) and the other way for the non-driven wheel (aka the front one).

Is there any reason for that? As Sheldon Brown writes on his website, tire tread is almost useless for road riding -- and large treads or knobs may even be detrimental -- because bike tires are narrow and don't aquaplane. Tread may have some utility in mud or sand, and is definitely useful in snow.

I suspect tire orientation may have some impact on the noise level.