imi

This winter I had SMP's on my commuter, 32mm front, 28mm rear, - they just happened to be what I had in the garage (from a tour in goat-head deserts a few years ago)... Worked fine for a bit more extra grip on wet leaves, light snow etc. The tread on them is still almost as good as new, so that's not an issue.

I'm moving these wheels over to my touring bike, as this summer I'll only be doing weekend tours, and don't want to buy new Hardshells yet (save that for a longer tour)...

So do you guys reckon it's worth swapping the tires round to 28mm front, 32mm rear? I have all my gear on the rear rack (two panniers and tent, light but not UL)

To be honest I'm just trying to justify not bothering and need a bit of peer-confirmation! cheers!

Tourist in MSN

Since more weight will be on the rear than front, will the 28mm cause pinch flats where the 32mm would not?

mantelclock

Shouldn't make a difference which you put on the front or rear. They're both pretty close in width. Either way, you'll make it through the summer and then some. I assume you'll be riding primarily on pavement.

imi

Yes, a few gravel paths as well so I can tell myself I have better grip with the 32 on the front, lol! Nothing I wouldn't happily ride with two 28's either.

I usually tour on 28's pumped hard (7 bar) so no worries there

whoops, two "beer smileys" in a row... isn't it friday soon?

robow

Personally I would take the 15 minutes and switch the larger tire to the rear (assuming both tires are of similar condition). That way I would be riding downhill even on a flat surface ? ? In theory, all things being equal, maybe less wear and tear on your rear wheel and possibly less flats with the larger tire. In reality, probably won't make a difference so take that 15 minutes that you're determined to save and do something worthwhile with it.

imi

I will heed your advice Robow and swap the tires.

My work has been incredibly stressfull the last couple of weeks, which I think explains my out-of-character resistance to such a simple task.

Thanks guys for chatting with me 'bout this. Somehow needed that too.

Tourist in MSN

Perhaps working on the bike will be less stressful

imi

Yeah, it's not been "time-stress", just intense, so I'll change the tires and maybe do an overnighter at the weekend. Nights are still cold here, it'll be down to about 39 F, so double sleeping bags

djb

ya, if it were me I'd put the wider on the back, might as well make it a little easier on the rear rim. I too have ridden 28s on all kinds of surfaces, the only problem was being on a rail trail with lots and lots of rain, and the trail got very soft so wider tires in general would have been a big help, but then not riding on that weekend would have been a better idea.....

Doug64

I think that having the larger tire on the back would fit my sense of order better, but our son who was a pretty good CX racer does it a little differently. He ran a 35 mm on front and a 32 mm on the rear. They were both tubeless and could be ridden at relatively low tire pressures. He maintains that setup handled mud and sandy course sections better.

imi

^^^ That makes sense, and is the same reasoning I had for having the wider tire on the front for better traction in wet slippery autumn/winter conditions.

Hopefully it'll be a dry and sunny summer this year here (sweden)... Last summer got rained out

djb

the "more secure" front end view of things certainly fits in all the years of my two wheeled experience. For pushing it going fast, having a sharp front end has always been my preference, I can live with the rear stepping out here and there, even on a motorcycle on pavement, but I figured for what you want to do, in regular riding on reasonable surfaces, wider on rear would be good too---but as you say, if you end up on more loose, wet stuff, you can always switch it back.
Wider and lower pressure front on loose surfaces will give you a more secure front end, thats for sure, so I guess you can judge what sort of riding conditions you are dealing with and go from there.

re pressures, its amazing how much relatively small pressure changes make a dfference in cornering feel, even with 28s. I use 28s all the time and its quite apparent how about 10psi less or so gives the tire more grip and suspension effect mid corner, and giving a lot more confidence in the front end.

imi

I had Conti GP 4 Seasons 28mm on all last (wet) summer. They certainly were better cornering on wet asphalt than regular Gatorskins which are my go-to dry summer tires.
Am I right in that if it rains on asphalt after a spell of hot weather that the asphalt is extra slippery then, or is that just my imagination?

robow

I think you're correct about the gators, many feel that the more flat resistant tires with the extra tough belts and for sure those that have more rigid flat resistant sidewalls won't corner as well as softer more supple tires. Hence why racers give up flat resistance and durability for increased speed and better cornering.

djb

oh yes. Here what happens is that the oils and such in the asphalt tend to come out when it first rains, after heavy rain, it washes away, but at first it can be quite slippey and catch you out. I recall with some rain going around a 90 degree corner in a small car and doing a little handbrake cheekily to get the rear out a titch....the oils made it more than a titch and around I went and thankfully only around part way, and didnt really go anywhere, but did feel pretty stupid. I've also noticed it with wheelspin with motorcycles.

imi

Thanks for explaining that djb

djb

No problem, wasn't a good explanation but at the start of a rain, you sometimes even see the little rainbow effect in the water from the oil that has dripped out of cars and whatnot, and risen up.