Author Topic: tourning with different size tires front and back  (Read 11714 times)

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Offline forrest

tourning with different size tires front and back
« on: September 16, 2011, 03:45:12 pm »
I am towing a trailer and just switched to 700x28 tires on my bike (the trailer tires is 16x1.75) and this made a huge difference in control from the 700x23 I was running.  My question is has anyone during touring used different size tires on the front and back.  If you have is it better to use a large one on the rear and keep the 28 on the front.  I am not using panniers just a trailer and there is not weight issue.  Also if you have used different air pressure between the two.  I have been told that a larger on on the front may give me a few problems with corners.  Please let me know if you have any experience with this.  Thanks

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2011, 09:04:16 pm »
Since I don't use a trailer, I don't know how relevant this is to your case.  If it's just one size off (say, 25-28 or 32-35), I've never felt much difference.  For two sizes, like 28-35, I like the bigger one in the back, as I get a little bit more shock absorption under my tush. 

Offline driftlessregion

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #2 on: September 16, 2011, 09:14:01 pm »
I don't know why you would want a larger tire on the front but try it and see. I run a 25 front and 28 rear and pull a BOB. The reason for the 28 is so I can run less PSI on the rear so it won't be so hard. Check out this article for how to determine best PSI for your weight and tire size: http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf.
A larger tire also gives more protection for you wheel if properly inflated.

Offline bogiesan

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2011, 10:53:24 am »
I ride a long wheel base recumbent and I run a 451 front and a 700/32 rear. I don't tour self-contained but I always carry a spare front tire in my baggage. The 451 is difficult or impossible to locate out of large market regions but everyone carries 700s.

david boise ID
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline PeteJack

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2011, 11:09:47 am »
I did the Transam E-W as far as Dillon Montana with two Schwalbe Marathon 700 X 28s. The rear tire had worn out, I was getting frequent flats and the only tire the bike shop had was a Panasonic 700 X 32. I was surprised to find that I liked this combination and now use it all the time. It is more comfortable and there is no perceptible increase in drag. One caveat: tubes. You can use one tube for 700 X 23 through 700 X 28 but you can't use the same tube for 700 X 32s. That was how I got an explosive flat in a motel room at 530 am!

Offline Mattie

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #5 on: September 18, 2011, 04:27:30 pm »
On my last trip I repleced the rear 26 x 1.75 continental with a 2.00 Schwable Marathon Tour - so ended up with smaller tyre on he front than the back. I think it improved the ride if anything.

26 x 1.75 Continental on the front
26 x 2.00 Schwalbe marathon tour on the back

Offline John Nelson

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #6 on: September 18, 2011, 05:09:20 pm »
I don't think I'd do it unless I could use the same size tubes in both--too much trouble to carry multiple tube sizes. Otherwise, I see no reason not to do it if you want to.

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2011, 09:59:52 am »
Things get easier as you get to bigger tire sizes.  THe tube manufacturers have one size that fits 28-32, but I've stretched it to 35 and even and occasional 37 with no issues.  It probably helps that the fatter tubes are usually thicker, so there's more rubber to spread around.

Offline DaveB

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2011, 09:27:17 am »
One caveat: tubes. You can use one tube for 700 X 23 through 700 X 28 but you can't use the same tube for 700 X 32s. That was how I got an explosive flat in a motel room at 530 am!
Tubes are typically far more size tolerant than the manufacturer's recommendations and small tubes in larger tires are often used intentionally as they are lighter and easier to install.  I expect your 5:30 AM explosion was due to the tube not being properly installed, not the size disparity.

Offline PeteJack

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2011, 06:48:03 pm »
Quote
I expect your 5:30 AM explosion was due to the tube not being properly installed, not the size disparity.

Who knows? You could well be right. The guy in the bike shop installed it. I didn't check his work, I assumed he knew what he was doing. I had done 50 miles on it the previous day. Why would incorrect installation wait until the next morning to manifest itself? Probably we'll never find out.

Offline staehpj1

Re: tourning with different size tires front and back
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2011, 07:40:37 am »
One caveat: tubes. You can use one tube for 700 X 23 through 700 X 28 but you can't use the same tube for 700 X 32s. That was how I got an explosive flat in a motel room at 530 am!
Tubes are typically far more size tolerant than the manufacturer's recommendations and small tubes in larger tires are often used intentionally as they are lighter and easier to install.  I expect your 5:30 AM explosion was due to the tube not being properly installed, not the size disparity.

FWIW, I routinely use tubes smaller than the rated size for the tire I am using.  I have never had a problem that I credited to that practice.  They are easier to mount and lighter.  The spares are also lighter and less bulky and this can be a significant difference.  BTW I also avoid heavy duty, slime, or thorn proof tubes and go with the lighter ones.