Hey All,

My Connie-GatorSkins just turned 2,008 miles. The rear is worn more than the front and is flatter at it's center. The front is wearing better. Both front and rear wear dimples are clearly visible indicating more life for each.

So I swapped the front for rear. Does anyone else do this? Or do I just have too much time on my hands??

Still ridding down here is Florida... but last week morning temps were in the mid 30's.



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No.
You want the best tire on front.
If the rear tire fails, you will probably stop safely.
If the front tire fails, you will probably crash.

When the rear tire is worn out, you move the front tire to the rear, then put a new tire on the front.

I agree with what Shimagnolo said. When its time for a new tire I always swap the front and put it on the rear. The new tire goes on the front.

I rotate my road tires, but I also don't run them to the cords either.

My argument for rotating is I usually replace both tires anyways as the rubber starts drying and gets harder as it ages. Along with, over time, tires embed with glass, eventually that glass starts to work through.

One argument for not rotating is that you want the best tire on the front? yeah well a dried out cracked rubber isn't exactly the best tire for a front tire or back tire. rotate early, and swap both out early. done.

I mostly commute and average at least 2800 miles a year. I rotate my tires when I notice a difference in the wear. The rear always wears more. After a couple of swaps the tires are usually done. But for me, most of the time a catastrophic puncture or tear will do the tire in before it wears out.

Metieval,

Exactly my reasoning. After rotating the front tire is the old rear tire. Now when this front tire's wear indicators are history, but no cords showing I'll replace both like you do.

Heck,,,, my wife's undies cost more than two new tires....... I say that, but the visual is worth it.

I rotate my Schwalbe Big Apples when there's more than 0.7mm difference between tread depth. I usually get at least 3 rotations before one is toast, then I replace both.

I don't rotate. My wife is at best ok with most of the bike bits I buy, but she wants me on good worry free tires, so when the back gets replaced, so does the front. I keep the old front as a spare, just in case.

You know what they say....Happy wife, happy life. Who am I to argue?

yes

How ever, I also regularly inspect my tires. If I have a questionable tire it won't go on the front. regardless when the time comes , I'll still replace both as a pair.

First I replace the rear tire; next time, both; next, rear; next time, both . . . .

Rotating tires seems illogical, and I have better things to do with my time.

I've swapped front/rear before, if the tire going up front is good enough. Or perhaps wanting to push a tire to the back to grind it down some before the rubber dries out and it goes bad.

Flats happen and are part of riding.

Blowouts are rare. I've had two in the last couple of years. One was on trailer wheels made with kid's bike tires of unknown age, perhaps rusted wire beads, and too high of pressure.

the other blowout was on a tire, 75 miles from new. No obvious cause, other than perhaps inflating it cold, then riding it hot. It happened to be on the rear, but it could just have likely happened on the front (new tire).

this is what I do for the same logic......

I value a good tire on front more than I do the rear. I run the rear until the dimples show it's done; then rotate the current front to the rear, so that the new tire goes on the front. As long as there is still sufficient rubber, the flat spot on a rear tire is not a problem

Best, new tire goes on the front .. you don't want a front tire failure at speed

btw, am I the only one who runs a smaller size tire in front than in rear? Front/rear do different jobs.

I rotate because I want the tires to wear evenly, and get replaced at the same time. It looks better when the tires match perfectly, in size, color, (gumwalls) and wear. This is very important to a geek like me!

If a tire isn't good enough for the front, it's not good enough for the back either.

I find it difficult to believe some here think changing tires is too much trouble. Really? I guess for some it must be. For me, maintaining and cleaning my bikes is just as fun as riding 'em. Get some coffee or a beer and have at it.

Not the only one.

Nope. I would never do that. As others have indicated, you want the best tyre in the front.

[QUOTE=AlmostTrick;20123072

For me, maintaining and cleaning my bikes is just as fun as riding 'em.
Get some coffee or a beer and have at it.[/QUOTE]

I like your attitude.
Could we work together as a team?
You drink coffee and work on your bike.
I'll drink beer and watch you.

I get it that a blow out on the front can be disastrous, but the rear tire supports more weight, and is more prone to punctures. No way I want a worn tire back there either. Rotate and replace the pair when it's time.

I'd love to hook up with a bike maintenance partner. Hang out and upgrade our bikes together. And as much as I like beer, I've often said I could give it up long before I could coffee.

I just put on new tires when needed, I don't play the cheap game unless I absolutely have too. Safety would be a huge concern in tire rotation but if you don't do it you don't have to worry.

When buying new tires, buy them 3 at a time as there will typically be a 2:1 wear ratio of rear to front. The newest/bestest tire should always be up front, IMO.

Use old worn tires on the turbo trainer during the Winter months.

Rotate my road bike tires? Nope. The rear always gets nicks, cuts and flat spots from emergency braking first. Not gonna swap that to the front. I need to replace a slashed and flat-spotted Schwalbe One V-Guard on the rear. I'll probably put the new tire on the front and move the used front to the rear, since it's still in good shape.

The rear could have lasted longer than the approximately 1,700 miles on it, but razor sharp broken slate and free-range dogs conspired against me. Even with three slashes and a flat spot it's been good for a couplafew more weeks, but I noticed on this weekend's ride I can see the puncture shield through one of the three slashes.

Or I may buy a new pair, keep the lightly used front as a spare and toss the slashed tire. The original Schwalbe One V-Guards were excellent but getting scarce since that model was discontinued.

And I don't rotate the Conti Speed Rides on my hybrid. Great, grippy and fast tires but the file tread is a bit soft and wears quicker on the rear. Safer to replace it, put the new tire on the front and move the old front to the rear.

But I do rotate the errand bike's Michelin Protek Cross Max tires once a year. Probably unnecessary but I do it anyway. Those things will probably outlast me.

+1
+1

Rotating rear to front as the OP indicated sounds like an invitation for problems where none previously existed; and wreaks of false economy at the expense of safety.

If the OP really wants to spend more time working on his bike, he should clean the chain/drive-train [more]...those dirty little beasts beg for constant attention. Cleaning my chain/drive-train is the never-ending story that let's my bike know it's loved. In addition, making your crank-sets/cog-sets last longer offers real ROI without any jeopardy to personal safety. Win-win.