Weird Tyre Rotation Arrows
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Weird Tyre Rotation Arrows
I bought two new Schwalbe Nobby Nics for my MTB. Then, of course I fitted the tyres using the direction arrows. So far so good. Then I fitted the wheels to the bike and checked everything over. Then I saw that the direction arrow on the rear wheel was pointing the wrong way. I looked at the other side and it was pointing the right way. WTF is going on?
Bike facing to the left - arrow points to the front (towards the brake)
Bike facing to the right - arrow points to the rear (away from the brake)
The front tyre is fine!!!!!
Bike facing to the left - arrow points to the front (towards the brake)
Bike facing to the right - arrow points to the rear (away from the brake)
The front tyre is fine!!!!!
Last edited by Humanbeing757; 02-22-22 at 10:36 AM. Reason: correction
Likes For Crankycrank:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18378 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
Any reason why those tires are directional?
Chevron pattern tires are supposed to be directional with the chevron points forward, smooshing water, mud, etc out the back.
But, those waffle tires don't appear directional.
Chevron pattern tires are supposed to be directional with the chevron points forward, smooshing water, mud, etc out the back.
But, those waffle tires don't appear directional.
Likes For CliffordK:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,601
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 700 Times
in
436 Posts
Just curious--are the sidewalls marked front or rear on them also. Maybe it's recommended to run front and rear in opposite directions?
Likes For freeranger:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,083
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3376 Post(s)
Liked 5,522 Times
in
2,862 Posts
When copy/paste goes wrong while using CAD equipment.
Likes For Shimagnolo:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
Bike pictures are always supposed to be taken from the drive side, according to some people. Just make sure the arrows are going in the right direction on that side. Reversing the arrow on the other side can then be taken as a gentle reminder to go to the other side of the bike before clicking.
Of tire rotation arrows could just be a response to OCD reviewers (if there's not an arrow, the tire manufacturer doesn't care enough to make sure you put the tire on the right direction).
Of tire rotation arrows could just be a response to OCD reviewers (if there's not an arrow, the tire manufacturer doesn't care enough to make sure you put the tire on the right direction).
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,807
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1944 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
Likes For 70sSanO:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18378 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
Perhaps the tires are made for a unicycle or trick bike that goes both forward and backwards.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
probably unidirectional tires & this was their solution to telling the buyers. kinda dumb cuz they could have just not had any arrows. but maybe all their other tires have arrows so they figured yeah, do this
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,395
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,979 Times
in
1,920 Posts
smart tire tech doing smart tire stuff.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
-Oh Hey!
#12
Must be symmetrical
Although these are two very different tires.
Edit, or not, I guess. Apparently they did have reversed rotation directions f/r, as well as problems with moulding and mixed up arrows. i guess that sort of screw up happens. Google. Add to this there is apparently a new tread design, so who knows. Consider it an invitation to figure out what works best for you?
Last edited by Frkl; 02-22-22 at 01:43 PM.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I’m not too worried about this as it’s only my old cross country mtb, I can’t even do a bunny hop 😂 it’s just a funny thing but I’m also curious as to how this got through the manufacturing process. Weird thing is that the same tyre on the front is AOK.
This is exercising my brain. Is it possible to put this tyre on so that the arrow is pointing in the right direction on the drive side? 🤔
They are directional, you got to look carefully to see it though.
And this from Schwalbe’s web site about how they label front/rear direction arrows.
Bike pictures are always supposed to be taken from the drive side, according to some people. Just make sure the arrows are going in the right direction on that side. Reversing the arrow on the other side can then be taken as a gentle reminder to go to the other side of the bike before clicking.
They are directional, you got to look carefully to see it though.
And this from Schwalbe’s web site about how they label front/rear direction arrows.
Likes For Humanbeing757:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18378 Post(s)
Liked 4,512 Times
in
3,354 Posts
The tread should be fully vulcanized to the point where there isn't a forward/back distinction.
The casing does have a seam in it, but with overlapping layers that would reduce the significance of that seam.
Tread/casing separation does occur, but I'm not convinced there is a directional component.
I don't remember any discussion about casing separation at seams. Blowouts and tube herniation do occur, so perhaps that would give more information. Still, it doesn't seem like the seams are a major directional component.
There are many road tires that don't have those directional arrows.
The casing does have a seam in it, but with overlapping layers that would reduce the significance of that seam.
Tread/casing separation does occur, but I'm not convinced there is a directional component.
I don't remember any discussion about casing separation at seams. Blowouts and tube herniation do occur, so perhaps that would give more information. Still, it doesn't seem like the seams are a major directional component.
There are many road tires that don't have those directional arrows.
Likes For CliffordK:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,552
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,585 Times
in
2,344 Posts
Likes For rumrunn6:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,906
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,932 Times
in
2,557 Posts
Those tires are for fix gear use. Specifically, for "flip-flop" hubs. If both arrows pointed the same way, half the time the tire would be completely wrong. (And if you believe that, I've got a nice bridge to sell you.)
Likes For 79pmooney:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,847
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,543 Posts
occams razor, they are installed flipped, I have done that so I know.
Take the tires off, and reverse them and re install so that with the cassette faceing you the direction is facing forward.
Take the tires off, and reverse them and re install so that with the cassette faceing you the direction is facing forward.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,380
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2486 Post(s)
Liked 2,956 Times
in
1,679 Posts
I’m not too worried about this as it’s only my old cross country mtb, I can’t even do a bunny hop 😂 it’s just a funny thing but I’m also curious as to how this got through the manufacturing process. Weird thing is that the same tyre on the front is AOK.
This is exercising my brain. Is it possible to put this tyre on so that the arrow is pointing in the right direction on the drive side? 🤔
They are directional, you got to look carefully to see it though.
This is exercising my brain. Is it possible to put this tyre on so that the arrow is pointing in the right direction on the drive side? 🤔
They are directional, you got to look carefully to see it though.
#19
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 423
Bikes: 2016 Cervelo R3 & 1999 Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 138 Times
in
79 Posts
I had some Mavic Yksion tires which were directional with the front tire installed the opposite way of the traditional direction. It could apply on these tires as well.
Go to 2:11....
Go to 2:11....