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Are Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons no longer directional

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Are Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons no longer directional

Old 10-23-21, 05:16 PM
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geepondy
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Are Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons no longer directional

When I look at the Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons, 700x28's on my friend's bike, there is a directional arrow on the tire. When I look at the Grand Prix 4 season 700x32 on my bike, I don't see a directional arrow. However the arrow (along with most of the tire text) is faint and in poor contrast with the black sidewall so hard to see, so I'm nervous I might be missing it on my tire. His tires are older than mine. Were the tires once directional and no longer are or perhaps only in certain sizes? What are the consequences of mounting the tires backwards?
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Old 10-23-21, 06:54 PM
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MinnMan
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I don't know, but why be nervous? Mounting a "directional" tire backwards has no influence on safety AFAIK and only a very small effect on rolling resistance.
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Old 10-23-21, 06:55 PM
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Steve B.
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I dont think they have ever been directional, or at least I've never paid attention
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Old 10-23-21, 07:01 PM
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geepondy
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A youtube video said they were directional as I still have my borrowed friend's bike, I took a look and there is definitely an arrow. My eyesight isn't great but it's tough to read the black text on the black sidewall but as mentioned, I'm not spotting it on my 700x32s.. It's not really raised that much or has features that distinguish it from the background.

Originally Posted by Steve B.
I dont think they have ever been directional, or at least I've never paid attention
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Old 10-23-21, 07:05 PM
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Steve B.
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Originally Posted by geepondy
A youtube video said they were directional as I still have my borrowed friend's bike, I took a look and there is definitely an arrow. My eyesight isn't great but it's tough to read the black text on the black sidewall but as mentioned, I'm not spotting it on my 700x32s.. It's not really raised that much or has features that distinguish it from the background.
Who knew ?
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Old 10-23-21, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by geepondy
A youtube video said they were directional as I still have my borrowed friend's bike, I took a look and there is definitely an arrow. My eyesight isn't great but it's tough to read the black text on the black sidewall but as mentioned, I'm not spotting it on my 700x32s.. It's not really raised that much or has features that distinguish it from the background.
It just doesn't matter in use.
But if you want it to be 'correct, then just match up the tread pattern since it angles on each side of the tire in towards the middle.
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Old 10-24-21, 07:39 AM
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They were never functionally directional in the first place. The tread pattern is there because many of the buying public don't know any better and expect some kind of pattern. The directional arrows on the casing are to head off customer questions.

There are a few, literally a few, road bike tires that have directional casing construction that rolls a little easier one way than the other. With those few as exceptions, road tires are not functionally directional.
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Old 10-24-21, 08:09 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I won't sweat it then.
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