TIL I was mounting my tires backwards for 2 years

I always thought the tread pattern was just for looks. Then a guy at a bike shop pointed it out. He said 'your directional tires are going the wrong way, you're losing grip in the rain.' I felt so dumb. I ride 8 miles to work every day in Seattle. Anyone else miss something obvious like that for way too long?

2 comments

2 Comments

stone.simon8d ago

Read somewhere that backwards tires actually channel water to the center instead of out.

jade2268d ago

Wait, doesn't the arrow on the sidewall point the direction the tire should roll? I thought that was pretty standard for directional treads. I am surprised you didn't notice it when putting them on though, the arrows are usually pretty obvious.