Mixed tyres Width
#2
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,337
Likes: 11,829
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,588
Likes: 427
From: Southern California, USA
Bikes: 1979 Raleigh Team 753
Funny one. Because it works both ways depending on what you want.
The rear gets more weight, so bigger is better in terms of taking the bumps and while you tend to see and dodge things the front may hit, the rear often smacks whatever is in the way.
The rear transmits the power, so smaller is better in terms of power transmission. So for a sprint - smaller is better.
In the end most folks use the same size. The rear will wear faster.
The rear gets more weight, so bigger is better in terms of taking the bumps and while you tend to see and dodge things the front may hit, the rear often smacks whatever is in the way.
The rear transmits the power, so smaller is better in terms of power transmission. So for a sprint - smaller is better.
In the end most folks use the same size. The rear will wear faster.
#4
The Conti Attack/Force combo is F/R specific. The front is 22 and the rear 24 (well, at least they were as of a couple years ago - haven't bought them in a while). Read over their marketing and take it with a grain of salt.
#6
I did a couple of gravel events last year and I saw a couple of people with wider tires on the front to my surprise. After chatting with a guy about his choice he explained that the wider front allows him to hit larger gravel, divots and objects and not have the front end give. I have no first hand experience with this set up.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 13
Some people (like those that obsess over their tyre pressures) will run a lower tyre pressure on the front as it has less weight on it that the rear. Why not run a narrower tyre on the front and keep the front and rear pressure the same instead?
I use a 23mm F and 25mm R. I don't like the 25mm on the front as I have narrow rims and I feel that the larger tyre on the front balloons too much which makes the front too squirrelly when turning which counteracts the extra grip that a 25mm is supposed to provide.
I use a 23mm F and 25mm R. I don't like the 25mm on the front as I have narrow rims and I feel that the larger tyre on the front balloons too much which makes the front too squirrelly when turning which counteracts the extra grip that a 25mm is supposed to provide.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,272
Likes: 1,304
From: Seattle
There's more load on the rear tire, which a tire with more air volume and travel should handle better, both in rolling behavior and wear life. Aero effects are is also more significant at the front wheel, so potential aero penalties of wider are smaller in back.
Although, it doesn't seem to matter much either way, and staying the same front and back tends to be more stylish.
A lot of MTB folks prefer the opposite, wider in front.
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
For road bikes , i see that most people agree that effect is not that much to consider , and that it's better to go wider on the back as it process more weight and to benefit from narrower /more aero dynamic in front ..
#10
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,337
Likes: 11,829
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
well nothing in particular , i just saw some youtube videos and some tyres set which are made with different width , so i wanted to understand the science behind that ..
For road bikes , i see that most people agree that effect is not that much to consider , and that it's better to go wider on the back as it process more weight and to benefit from narrower /more aero dynamic in front ..
For road bikes , i see that most people agree that effect is not that much to consider , and that it's better to go wider on the back as it process more weight and to benefit from narrower /more aero dynamic in front ..
Many road cyclists (myself included) like to "rotate" our tires, when the rear is worn we move the front to the rear and put the new one on the front. That makes using the same width tires more important.
But as I stated, there is no harm in mixing it. YMMV.
#11
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
I think for on the road, it is of very limited value. If you are off-roading it, may make more sense to mix it up.
Many road cyclists (myself included) like to "rotate" our tires, when the rear is worn we move the front to the rear and put the new one on the front. That makes using the same width tires more important.
But as I stated, there is no harm in mixing it. YMMV.
Many road cyclists (myself included) like to "rotate" our tires, when the rear is worn we move the front to the rear and put the new one on the front. That makes using the same width tires more important.
But as I stated, there is no harm in mixing it. YMMV.
I feel it was a food idea to always buy spare tyre when buying a tyre-set for such circumstances
#12
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,337
Likes: 11,829
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Another small question about rear tyre , my rear tyre indeed just start to crack , i need to replace it , but i can't find same brand , front tyre is still in very good shape , not sure if it's better to buy new set , or just buy one tyre for the rear that's different brand/pattern , etc ..
I feel it was a food idea to always buy spare tyre when buying a tyre-set for such circumstances
I feel it was a food idea to always buy spare tyre when buying a tyre-set for such circumstances
#13
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 3
From: Madison, IN
Bikes: 2015 Jamis Quest Comp
I also like to rotate my tires, so I'll likely keep using 25mm for both on the road.
For off-road, I currently run 30mm, which is about the limit in the back, but next time I need tires I may try out a bigger (33 or 35) size up front for better gravel cornering.
For off-road, I currently run 30mm, which is about the limit in the back, but next time I need tires I may try out a bigger (33 or 35) size up front for better gravel cornering.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,400
Likes: 106
From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)
My next switch is going to 25mm front, 23mm rear, simply because I wanted to try 25mm tubeless, and I still have a good 23mm on the front.
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,687
Likes: 301
I did a couple of gravel events last year and I saw a couple of people with wider tires on the front to my surprise. After chatting with a guy about his choice he explained that the wider front allows him to hit larger gravel, divots and objects and not have the front end give. I have no first hand experience with this set up.
#17
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,934
Likes: 995
From: New Zealand
Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Trek Marlin 6, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2
Bigger up front for the better cornering traction and less fatigue. Bigger in the back for the better puncture resistance. So... bigger all round.
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4,272
Likes: 1,304
From: Seattle
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
banaeatingbiker
Bicycle Mechanics
4
08-13-17 12:21 PM






