22mm tire on rear wheel - crazy?
12-06-13, 09:53 AM
#1
Batüwü Griekgriek
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22mm tire on rear wheel - crazy?
I normally rotate tires front-to-rear; when the rear tire is dead (tread very thin, starting to get flats) I either toss it or save it for indoor trainer sessions. Then I move the front tire to the rear wheel, and put a new tire on the front.
Normally, I use 700x23 and this is a pretty straightforward routine.
But currently I am running Continental's Attack/Force combo. I have a slightly older set, where the rear is only 23mm (not the current 24mm), but the front tire is a 22mm.
Since my rear 23mm Force is just about dead (squared off, tread pattern is balding), I'd like to move the 22mm Attack tire to the rear - but is that asking for trouble? Just to be clear, I am riding over rough city roads to get to/from the more pleasant open country riding in these parts, and I weigh about 210 pounds. My rims are 32h Mavic Open Pro CDs, fwtw.
Normally, I use 700x23 and this is a pretty straightforward routine.
But currently I am running Continental's Attack/Force combo. I have a slightly older set, where the rear is only 23mm (not the current 24mm), but the front tire is a 22mm.
Since my rear 23mm Force is just about dead (squared off, tread pattern is balding), I'd like to move the 22mm Attack tire to the rear - but is that asking for trouble? Just to be clear, I am riding over rough city roads to get to/from the more pleasant open country riding in these parts, and I weigh about 210 pounds. My rims are 32h Mavic Open Pro CDs, fwtw.
12-06-13, 10:04 AM
#2
Passista
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I wouldn't worry about going from a 23 to a 22. I doubt you'll feel any difference. And not all 23s measure 23mm either.
12-06-13, 10:15 AM
#4
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That's a bit of an odd tire combo, specifically for racing. If you've squared off the rear tire, you must race quite a bit. The front tire is front specific, not meant to run on the rear. If you are using these as a race set, it might be best to buy a complete new set. Be that as it may, it probably doesn't make much difference for recreational riding. 22mm isn't anything to be scared of, that's for sure. Most recreational riders run the same tire front and rear so putting the front on the rear is the normal thing, not an oddity.
12-06-13, 10:27 AM
#5
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Could still have many miles left. Tread is just decoration, so just because it's worn off doesn't mean it's not still good.
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12-06-13, 10:34 AM
#6
Batüwü Griekgriek
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I actually don't race at all, but I am a miser, so I use my tires for a good solid 3000 miles or so. I'm mostly doing early morning laps in Central Park (I also commute on this bike!) and brisk paced weekend rides up 9W to Nyack and so forth.
The squared off one in back is still okay for now, although from experience, I'd say the 'flat-a-day' stage is rapidly approaching...since winter is too, I'll keep using it till it fully dies before switching.
I have a second set of 'nicer' wheels, so If I was doing something faster with a club (faster descents, pace-lining, etc) I could swap in a set of 23s in great shape for safety's sake...just wondering whether 22mm was pushing it. I am thinking the Attack tread pattern may be more front-friendly but that shouldn't be a huge issue in the rear (whereas, I'd be wary of putting a rear-specific tread of any kind up front, regardless of mileage or condition).
The squared off one in back is still okay for now, although from experience, I'd say the 'flat-a-day' stage is rapidly approaching...since winter is too, I'll keep using it till it fully dies before switching.
I have a second set of 'nicer' wheels, so If I was doing something faster with a club (faster descents, pace-lining, etc) I could swap in a set of 23s in great shape for safety's sake...just wondering whether 22mm was pushing it. I am thinking the Attack tread pattern may be more front-friendly but that shouldn't be a huge issue in the rear (whereas, I'd be wary of putting a rear-specific tread of any kind up front, regardless of mileage or condition).
12-06-13, 10:56 AM
#7
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pretty sure you could only run that with a 21mm front. 
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12-06-13, 11:14 AM
#8
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I actually don't race at all, but I am a miser, so I use my tires for a good solid 3000 miles or so. I'm mostly doing early morning laps in Central Park (I also commute on this bike!) and brisk paced weekend rides up 9W to Nyack and so forth.
The squared off one in back is still okay for now, although from experience, I'd say the 'flat-a-day' stage is rapidly approaching...since winter is too, I'll keep using it till it fully dies before switching.
I have a second set of 'nicer' wheels, so If I was doing something faster with a club (faster descents, pace-lining, etc) I could swap in a set of 23s in great shape for safety's sake...just wondering whether 22mm was pushing it. I am thinking the Attack tread pattern may be more front-friendly but that shouldn't be a huge issue in the rear (whereas, I'd be wary of putting a rear-specific tread of any kind up front, regardless of mileage or condition).
The squared off one in back is still okay for now, although from experience, I'd say the 'flat-a-day' stage is rapidly approaching...since winter is too, I'll keep using it till it fully dies before switching.
I have a second set of 'nicer' wheels, so If I was doing something faster with a club (faster descents, pace-lining, etc) I could swap in a set of 23s in great shape for safety's sake...just wondering whether 22mm was pushing it. I am thinking the Attack tread pattern may be more front-friendly but that shouldn't be a huge issue in the rear (whereas, I'd be wary of putting a rear-specific tread of any kind up front, regardless of mileage or condition).
I don't think using the Attack in the rear is likely to cause any harm, but that said, it is not made for your purposes even if used in the front. It is one of Conti's thinnest, lightest clincher and meant for racing applications where mileage and durability are not top priorities.
Imo you would be better off leaving the attack upfront and getting a pair of Conti 4 Season or Mich Pro 4 Endurance. Put one on the back and the other upfront when the Attack goes. Or right now and just keep the Attack as a back up tire.
12-06-13, 11:33 AM
#9
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12-06-13, 01:42 PM
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I don't think using the Attack in the rear is likely to cause any harm, but that said, it is not made for your purposes even if used in the front. It is one of Conti's thinnest, lightest clincher and meant for racing applications where mileage and durability are not top priorities.
Imo you would be better off leaving the attack upfront and getting a pair of Conti 4 Season or Mich Pro 4 Endurance. Put one on the back and the other upfront when the Attack goes. Or right now and just keep the Attack as a back up tire.
Imo you would be better off leaving the attack upfront and getting a pair of Conti 4 Season or Mich Pro 4 Endurance. Put one on the back and the other upfront when the Attack goes. Or right now and just keep the Attack as a back up tire.
