Front / Rear Specific Tyres?

[KTMsm]

I'm trying to buy a tyre for a cruiser 130 90 16

I've seen tyres are specifically marked up as Front or Rear

I could understand that a rear tyre might be reinforced to take the power so you couldn't fit a front to the rear but not the other way around

Bearing in mind it's a cruiser it's not like it needs mega performance in braking nor handling - I ground the pegs at 20mph !

I've called the local tyre place and they say that I cannot fit a tyre marked for Rear on the Front

Why ?

A rear is priced at £55 and a front is £130 !

[black-k1]

You're struggling to understand that there might be a difference between a tyre whose primary purposes are steering and braking vs. one whose primary purposes are delivering power and supporting load?

If the tyre chap won't fit a rear tyre to a front wheel it's likely because he knows there a risk there will be a comeback on him. That would tell me something even if I don't know the detail.

[scorcher]

You would also need to run it in the opposite direction of the marked rotation. This is almost as stupid as your Mondeo idea.

[Tribal Chestnut]

If this is a bike you’re flogging, it’s probably not your brightest idea.

[KTMsm]

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

[bgunn]

Front tyres aren’t actually the same rolling radius as rears on bikes, even if the rim size is. The profile is also very different (pointier, less round).

This is a vital part of the steering geometry to ensure the bike handles properly.

https://youtu.be/hEZeR9E3JyY Might be a fun watch for you.

[Pica-Pica]

KTMsm said:

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

Car tyres are always perpendicular to the road, motorcycle tyres get leant over. This discussion has come up before, and the answers and links were available. Easily searchable.

[Krikkit]

If you sell someone a bike and they notice it's got the wrong tyres fitted, was it really worth the extra £65 margin?

Fit the right tyres.

[bgunn]

KTMsm said:

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

Love someone asking a question and then trying to gaslight those who give an answer. Only on PH…

[black-k1]

KTMsm said:

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

One of the great things about public forums on the Internet is that you often get different responses to those that you asked for.

At no point did I suggest that I knew the answer as to what the differences were only that I understood there are different front/rear tyre requirements so it's no surprise that there are differences in the solutions.



As for car tyres! Really? Beyond being black and round, what similarities are there with bike tyres. The job they do is totally different.

[spoodler]

I was surprised at this... so had to Google a few examples.
Don't know if this is "progress", but most of the non-sportbike tyres I've fitted over the years have been non-specific, front or rear fitment - arrows on the sidewall show which way to fit depending on application. I'm surprised that cruiser bike tyres would be specified fitment, as I agree with you that they're unlikely to be testing the limits of modern tyre technology. The only ones I've found that are non-specific are far more expensive than what you've quoted.

[Tribal Chestnut]

black-k1 said:

As for car tyres! Really? Beyond being black and round, what similarities are there with bike tyres. The job they do is totally different.

Indeed.

I got over 50k out of my truck tyres, can I leave my bike ones on for the same?

BTW, if anyone doesn’t respond as I desire, then I shall grumble at them and ignore their advice.

[Dave.]

scorcher said:

You would also need to run it in the opposite direction of the marked rotation. This is almost as stupid as your Mondeo idea.

Genuine question from a non-biker…. Why’s that?

[OutInTheShed]

Dave. said:

scorcher said:

You would also need to run it in the opposite direction of the marked rotation. This is almost as stupid as your Mondeo idea.

Genuine question from a non-biker…. Why’s that?

When I was buying tyres for small bikes donkeys' years agothey generally came with arrows going opposite ways for front and rear fitment.
I think it may be that bias belt/cross ply tyres have the fabric oriented to resist braking on the front and drive on the back?

I guess cross ply bike tyre development kept happening after car tyres were nearly all radial?

I don't believe I've ever looked at a radial bike tyre which was suitable for both front and rear.
These days the tread patterns are never (?) symmetrical and are intended to work one way more than the other.

[airsafari87]

I can’t remember where I saw it? But there was piece on TV where they interviewed somebody from Avon tyres I believe and he said that the way the carcass on front and rear tyres is constructed is different to one another due to the different types of forces each tyre sees and they aren’t interchangeable items.

[I am alright Jack]

OutInTheShed said:

When I was buying tyres for small bikes donkeys' years agothey generally came with arrows going opposite ways for front and rear fitment.
I think it may be that bias belt/cross ply tyres have the fabric oriented to resist braking on the front and drive on the back?

I guess cross ply bike tyre development kept happening after car tyres were nearly all radial?

I don't believe I've ever looked at a radial bike tyre which was suitable for both front and rear.
These days the tread patterns are never (?) symmetrical and are intended to work one way more than the other.

^^ I've got a new one on the front of one of my bikes..

Edited by I am alright Jack on Friday 22 July 20:26

[Dave.]

OutInTheShed said:

I think it may be that bias belt/cross ply tyres have the fabric oriented to resist braking on the front and drive on the back?

Makes sense, cheers

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

I'm more worried about the scratches on the frame from the spurs.

[SteveKTMer]

KTMsm said:

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

I feel the life draining from me... and Baldrick comes to mind, who's mother lost her head to fix the issue of a low ceiling.

[scorcher]

SteveKTMer said:

KTMsm said:

You see where I asked what was the difference and why - I didn't ask for random thoughts

So the answer is none of you actually know

Bearing in mind car tyres seem to perform both functions perfectly well

I feel the life draining from me... and Baldrick comes to mind, who's mother lost her head to fix the issue of a low ceiling.

Fit car tyres to it then.it obviously doesn’t need to lean much.