Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi all,
Have recently changed tyres (Maxxis Detonator?) on my commuting bike and noticed they had a directional arrow on them, which I've never noticed before on any tyres I've used.
A couple of questions:
1) Does it matter if they are on the wrong way?
2) What is the technique to ensure you get it right

Regards

matthecat wrote:Hi all,
Have recently changed tyres (Maxxis Detonator?) on my commuting bike and noticed they had a directional arrow on them, which I've never noticed before on any tyres I've used.
A couple of questions:
1) Does it matter if they are on the wrong way?
2) What is the technique to ensure you get it right

Regards

1) not entirely, if they have a tread pattern it's mainly for water dispersion on a road bike. mtb is a whole other kettle of fish.
2) put it on the right way

I still do this after 25 years of changing tyres. I always have my bike upside down when I change tyres, so all I do is make sure that the arrow is at the bottom of the wheel as if you are holding the wheel out in front of you, and face it pointing towards the front of the bike. Also, directional tread is sometimes more important for water shedding than it is for traction. But every tyre is different. Just flip it round.

On my roadie, the tyres don't typically have a direction, or any tread to speak of. On the MTB, if the tread is directional I fit them so that he front one has the 'arrows' pointing towards the front of the bike when viewed from the top. I fit the rear one the opposite. The theory is that the tread direction assists braking/steering on the front and drive traction at the rear. I've never tested that out but it seems intuitive for a chevron style tread. For tyres that don't have an obvious direction, I guess it doesn't matter.

The correct direction for Detonators is straight into the bin...

m@ wrote:The correct direction for Detonators is straight into the bin...

Detonated?

if it has chevrons, they should point forwards when viewed while sitting on the bike - this is to push water outwards and away from the centre of the tread as it rotates.

if they have a label on 1 side only, the label should be on the drive side.

If it's directional, pointing it in the right direction will give you speed.
Switch it the other way and you'll get more traction!

On road tyres the tread is so fine it provides little beyond cosmetic effect, but it looks better if it's pointing the right way! Think of the tread forming an arrowhead pattern, and point it the same way the wheel rotates.

On dirt tread direction can have a big effect on the handling of the bike, 'cos the knobs are designed to work a certain way.

m@ wrote:The correct direction for Detonators is straight into the bin...

Ah! Along with the other Refuse then...

jacks1071 wrote:Detonated?

RonK wrote:Ah! Along with the other Refuse then...

On both counts - exactly so!