Do you rotate your tires?

[spinarelli]

For most people the rear tire wears out faster. Do you rotate the tires to even out the wear? If so how often/miles?
Or, if you don't, do you only replace the rear tire with a new tire and keep the front as it is?
Or, are you as OCD as me, and when you have to replace one tire you replace both because you want the tan sidewall fading/yellowing to match?

[rwsaunders]

I just rotate the air.

[pjm]

When the rear wears out I move the front tire to the rear and put a new tire on the front.

[Dave]

I buy tires in threes - two for the rear and one for the front, no rotation.

[spinarelli]

that's actually a good idea, especially with the current prices across the pond.

Originally Posted by Dave

I buy tires in threes - two for the rear and one for the front, no rotation.

[rnhood]

Originally Posted by Dave

I buy tires in threes - two for the rear and one for the front, no rotation.

This is the proper protocol, because rotating tires means the front will have the flattened tread pattern from rotating the rear to the front, and that can compromise its handling.

But if you just commute or putter about, rotating is probably fine. Just be careful when riding in wet weather.

[Big Dan]

Originally Posted by Dave

I buy tires in threes - two for the rear and one for the front, no rotation.

Same here.

[seanile]

i'm sitting here... reading this whole thread as if we're talking about car tires.
and this statement really threw me

Originally Posted by Dave

I buy tires in threes - two for the rear and one for the front, no rotation.

and then everyone else's affirming this method threw me even further.

happy monday, i need some caffeine.

[Cicli]

Originally Posted by pjm

When the rear wears out I move the front tire to the rear and put a new tire on the front.

This, you always want your best tire up front. If you have ever had a front explode you will know why.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by Cicli

This, you always want your best tire up front. If you have ever had a front explode you will know why.

When's the last time you had a front flat?

When's the last time you had a rear flat?

Which happens more frequently?

M

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by Gummee

When's the last time you had a front flat?

When's the last time you had a rear flat?

Which happens more frequently?

Risk isn't just about frequency (or likelihood), its also about potential consequences. Although front flats are less common, the potential consequences are greater. For me, this tips in favor of installing a new tire on the front.

(And by the way, the last flat tire I had was a front pinch flat, when my tire dropped into a longitudinal crack in the pavement while racing in a criterium.)

[Red Tornado]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

Risk isn't just about frequency (or likelihood), its also about potential consequences. Although front flats are less common, the potential consequences are greater. For me, this tips in favor of installing a new tire on the front.

(And by the way, the last flat tire I had was a front pinch flat, when my tire dropped into a longitudinal crack in the pavement while racing in a criterium.)

Agree. I would much rather have a rear flat than a front. If the rear goes down, you can still control the bike just might fishtail some unless your flying down hill. Front goes flat (especially if it loses air fast) you might be screwed pretty quick-like. On a road bike, best tire is always in the front.

[benb]

I just buy 2 new tires when the rear starts getting near it's end of life. Same thing I did with my motorcycles when I had them.

Safer, better performance, more smiles on my face. Trivial cost for my income level.

I would be curious how many of out have bike stables worth $10k, $20k, $30k, or more and worry about getting every last mile out of your tires to scrimp and save a little bit.

I have less bikes than the average on this forum AFAICT. New replacement cost for all my bikes would be about $12k.. but I bought the 3 bikes over a period of about 13 years.. not like I went and bought all the bikes at the same time.

Pretty sure if I had a bad crash as a result of sub-par tire performance my medical co-pays/deductibles would buy a decade or more worth of high end bike tires, but I can't say that's in the back of my mind.

I suppose it'd be nice if there was a way to recycle tires, I have not looked into that.

I have taken advantage of sales the last 2-3 sets of bicycle tires I bought, so there is that as well. My main go fast road bike I have had BOGO on every set of tires I've ever put on the bike.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Gummee

When's the last time you had a front flat?

When's the last time you had a rear flat?

Which happens more frequently?

M

Rear more frequently but a flat rear is MUCH less 'dangerous' than a flat front..

why sheldon was right(RIP)...

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Rear more frequently but a flat rear is MUCH less 'dangerous' than a flat front..

why sheldon was right(RIP)...

Nope. Ole Sheldon was backasswards on this one. Front ANYthings are so rare as to be a non-issue.

Most of your weight is on the rear.
Most of your flats happen in the rear. Most = approaching 100% of your flats.
Y'all say you'll wear out 2-3 rears to a front...

So tell me again why having the new tire on the front it SO important if nothing ever happens to it?!

Think about the last time you had ANYthing happen to the front tire. I'll bet it's a hard bit of thinking. Even if you hit a pothole, it's almost always the rear tire/wheel that gets it.

...but since y'all are taking this on faith, I'm not going to be able to convince you. It's akin to a religious argument: no amount of proof will sway your thinking.

M