Sometimes it would be nice to have a guy around....

[goldfinch]

I have no idea what "speed nuts" are but I can tell you I know more about tires, tire direction and mounting tires than a lot of guys I know.

If it is a mtb tire, direction is critical.

I assume that it is critical only if the tires are marked as having a tire direction? My somewhat aggressive tires on my hybrid are not marked with a direction at all.

[Aromig]

That's funny -- I had a flat on my second ride on my new road bike. I've changed flats on my hybrid -- and I carefully paid attention. This time, however, it was getting dark, the brakes were different (it took me a few minutes to figure out how to disconnect them), the road tire was a lot harder to get off than any other flat I've changed, and in all the haste I didn't pay attention to which way the tire went. I've been wondering if it matters (but not wondering enough to look closely at the tire). It doesn't seem to have much tread, so I presumed no.

[Shellyrides]

I assume that it is critical only if the tires are marked as having a tire direction? My somewhat aggressive tires on my hybrid are not marked with a direction at all.

These tires are Kenda Kross PluI and yes they have a arrow with the word drive that I did not notice until after I had mounted both of them ...backwards.

But now for the happy dance! I belong to a weight loss group and one of the ladies husbands rebuilds bikes as a hobby. At this time he has over 100 bikes. He sent word that if I wanted to learn how to rebuild, from the ground up bikes he would be happy to work with me. To start me out he is giving me a Parks repair manual! First lesson is Sunday.

[OakLeaf]

The arrow on my Conti GP4000 is so hard to find that whenever I install a new tire, the first thing I do is mark over the raised arrow with a silver sharpie.

[SadieKate]

I assume that it is critical only if the tires are marked as having a tire direction? My somewhat aggressive tires on my hybrid are not marked with a direction at all.

Yes, aggressive tread is not necessarily directional. However, MTB tread that has Vs or crescents going down the spine of the tire can roll faster in one direction but give more control in another. At least, that the way I think about it. The tires definitely behave differently depending on how they are mounted. There are also tires which are exactly the same tread but meant to be mounted differently depending on whether they are used on the front or back wheel.