Riding with two different tires?

[Syndirelah]

Hey Everyone,

Total beginner (tire) question:

I flatted a few weeks ago and unfortunately my whole tire shredded... I ran into the bike shop and quickly grabbed one tire (thinking they were two to a package), so now I have two completely different (brands) of tire. One is a Michelin (it has a grey stripe, i forget what kind exactly) and the other is just the stock vittoria rubino that came with the bike.

Can I get away with riding with two different tires on there for a few rides? The weather is nice, so I want to get out while I still can and have time....

Thanks! :)

[shootingstar]

If the thread and width of the tires are approx. the same, no reason why it shouldn't work. I have...various times in cycling life.

What I was warned just this weekend because I wanted to buy a slightly different (and tougher) tire for my front wheel, I was told by the bike mechanic, that never to install a back tire that is skinnier/narrower than the front.

I suspect it has to do with weight-bearing issues, particularily if your bike regularily carries substantial back pannier/back rack weight. (and my bike does work hard in this area since we don't have a car)

[Grog]

Why not?

[Eden]

I won a single bright yellow tire at a race once. It got put on my rain bike after a tire disaster and proved to be such a tough, tough thing that it stayed there for a long time. It looked a little weird to have a black front and a yellow rear on a white and blue bike, but not being a fashion plate and not suffering from any OCD it was fine with me.

[OakLeaf]

What I was warned just this weekend because I wanted to buy a slightly different (and tougher) tire for my front wheel, I was told by the bike mechanic, that never to install a back tire that is skinnier/narrower than the front.

I suspect it has to do with weight-bearing issues,

It's more to do with handling. Think about what happens when your bike leans, and it's easy to picture.

Motorcycle tires don't always play well together. I'd have to think it would make less of a difference with bici tires - although I will say that the profile of my Conti GP4000s is very different from the profile of the Michelin Lithions I ran before them. I've never ridden Vittorias so can't help you there. I wouldn't race on a mismatched set, but you should be fine if you're not demanding every bit of grip from the tires.

[tongue_tied]

I have a 700x28 up front and a 700x23 on the back. It didn't come this way - I also shredded my front tire and the shop offered me the 700x28 one. I blame it on negligence from both parts. I always knew in the back of my mind that it wasn't safe to ride with a wider tire up front - but alas, it's been about 5 months so far... no accidents (attributed to that, anyhow). But, I think I'll definitely switch both tires out for new 700x23's just to be safe for next season.

[nscrbug]

I was riding a stock Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick up front, and a brand new Conti GP4000S on the rear for a few weeks...no problems at all. My bike came stock with the Vittoria's (which have over 4,500 miles on them)...so my DH changed them out to the new Conti's to see how I'd like 'em. Well...the 2nd ride out on the Conti's, I took a direct hit into the front sidewall...put a nice gash in the tire, it was toast...had to throw it in the trash. The only tires we had on hand, were my old Vittoria's, so that is what went on my front. Finally got around to swapping out the rear Conti, back to my old Vittoria's. I didn't care for the Conti GP 4000S at all...I'll probably stick with Vittoria from now on.

[MartianDestiny]

My biggest concern would be that you shredded the mate. My philosphy is that if one goes (and it's not obviously road debris) the other is about to go. Add to that the fact that these sound like the stock tires which are not always the best of quality or strength and it's just another nail in the coffin so to speek. It also sounds like the "old" tire is up front (?)...you REALLY REALLY do not want to have a catestrophic failure on the front wheel, so *I* would replace it or at least move it to the back (more trouble than it's worth) ASAP.

But to answer your question, yes it's fine for a few rides.

[OakLeaf]

/hijack/

nscrbug, just out of curiosity, what didn't you like about the GP4000s? Was it the steeper, more "triangular" profile, or something else?

You're the first person I've heard from who hasn't loved these tires. And they come in such pretty colors! :D

My only gripe is that the tread direction arrow is so hard to see. Now, as soon as I take a new one out of the package, I draw a direction arrow on both sides of the tire in silver Sharpie. Makes fixing flats much quicker.

[nscrbug]

/hijack/

nscrbug, just out of curiosity, what didn't you like about the GP4000s? Was it the steeper, more "triangular" profile, or something else?

You're the first person I've heard from who hasn't loved these tires. And they come in such pretty colors! :D

My only gripe is that the tread direction arrow is so hard to see. Now, as soon as I take a new one out of the package, I draw a direction arrow on both sides of the tire in silver Sharpie. Makes fixing flats much quicker.

I just didn't care for the "road feel" of the Conti GP4000s. It felt sluggish and heavy, and also felt weird while cornering...like it was too stiff or something. My husband doesn't like 'em either. He swapped his old and worn Michelin ProRace 3's for the GP4000S, and after 100 miles on them...he opted to put his old tires back on. Santa is bringing him a new set of ProRace 3's for Christmas, so he'll be all set for spring. He too, thought the Conti's felt sluggish, stiff, and didn't roll as smoothly as his Michelin's. Eh, I guess tires can be a personal preference sort of thing...what one person likes, someone else may hate.

I just ordered a set of Vittoria Diamante Pro's for a really good deal at Performance...$44 per tire, plus an additional 20% off...I can't find a better price than that right now, so I'm jumping on it.

Linda