Vittoria Corsa Pro are they directional?

[Web1111a]

Am I missing a directional marker?

Do I use the tire wear indicator as the direction ?

Thanks

[RoosterCogset]

Just make sure the wording on the tires reads left to right and you should be good to go.

[Mark McM]

With few exceptions*, pavement tires aren't directional.


*The only affect that tire direction has been found to have on hard surfaces is that occasionally an assymmetric tread may have better aerodynamics in one direction over the other. In at least one case, a tire has performed better in a wind tunnel when it was mounted backwards to the direction mounting arrow.

[Fat Cat]

Failing to mount the tire for proper rotation and not synchronizing the valve stems can be noted on your permanent record.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by Fat Cat

Failing to mount the tire for proper rotation and not synchronizing the valve stems can be noted on your permanent record.

he's not wrong

[Web1111a]

In directions from Vittoria they mention directionality but they are generic

Conti 5000 are directional

[dr.dre]

I just mounted a set of Corsa Pro Controls last week, there are very small arrows printed on the side wall indicating the direction of rotation. So those at least are directional.

[cash05458]

you want the arrows pointing up...

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by dr.dre

I just mounted a set of Corsa Pro Controls last week, there are very small arrows printed on the side wall indicating the direction of rotation. So those at least are directional.

The only directional on those tires is the arrow printed on the sidewall.

As far as I can tell, no evidence has ever been presented that rotating direction matters on bicycle tires for hard surfaces*. Bicycle tire casings are built symmetrically, and the only assymmetry is in the tread patterns. But it has never been shown bicycle tires designed for hard surfaces (i.e. pavement) even need a tread pattern at all, let alone need directional tread. Tread grooves/knobs are intended to either penetrate soft surfaces (such as dirt or mud or snow), or to evacuate water to prevent hydroplaning (but bicycle tires are too narrow and high pressure to hydroplane at the speeds they go).



*Except maybe aerodynamics. But wind tunnel tests have shown that some tires are more aerodynamic when mounted in the "correct" direction, while other ware more aerodynamic when mounted in the backwards direction.

[Fat Cat]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

*Except maybe aerodynamics. But wind tunnel tests have shown that some tires are more aerodynamic when mounted in the "correct" direction, while other ware more aerodynamic when mounted in the backwards direction.

that can only reflect tread pattern since the x-section and profile does not change

[tellyho]

Originally Posted by Mark McM

The only directional on those tires is the arrow printed on the sidewall.

As far as I can tell, no evidence has ever been presented that rotating direction matters on bicycle tires for hard surfaces*.

I feel like I read somewhere that tire makers tested tires and found that rolling resistance was different in different orientations.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by tellyho

I feel like I read somewhere that tire makers tested tires and found that rolling resistance was different in different orientations.

It's more like that it is something the tire makers would like you to think, regardless of its veracity. Tires are a product whose features can be difficult to distinguish by casual inspection - for example, tread compound plays a large role in tire performance, but you can't tell one compound from another by eye. So product makers often add visually obvious features to make it easier for customers to distinguish one brand or model from another. For tires, the most visually obvious feature is the pattern of the tread. Which the tire makers then have to justify by insinuating that their tread patterns are better - regardless of whether there is any basis for these insinuations. Note that the reason I used the word "insuation", because these companies typically provide no hard evidence. For example, when was the last time you saw a tire company present rolling resistance or traction data? Answer: Never.

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Web1111a

In directions from Vittoria they mention directionality but they are generic

Conti 5000 are directional

Not really. The conti engineers put labels on to stop people asking what direction to mount the tire. Mark MCM is spot on. There is no functional difference for road tire direction. Even the tread is cosmetic.

[54ny77]

Proper directional mounting is always preferred.

[dr.dre]

Of course, you are free to ignore the directional label. And you might very well be right that it doesn't matter for road tires. I am merely pointing out that Vittoria has a recommended rotational direction for the Corsa Pro Control.