Different Sizes Of Front And Back Tires On Bikes!
Conventionally, almost all bikes use the same tire sizes, besides Manufacturers assemble bicycles that way.
Moreover, for safety, when purchasing a bike’s tires, it’s crucial to know the right dimension (ranging from diameter to width) of tires for the rims.
An unexpected situation might occur, warranting installing a different tire size.
Or you might decide to install tires of different sizes on your bike, to have the experience. So, this begs for how safe mismatching tires is on Bikes.
Bike tires shouldn’t necessarily be the same; hence it’s safe to use mismatching tires on both sides of the bike. You could put the slimmer tires in the front for an easy ride, high aerodynamic pull, and good balancing. On the other hand, the larger tire should be on the rear side to bear the bike’s weight.
Is It Okay To Have Different Tire Sizes In The Front And Back?
It’s okay to have tires of different sizes as long as the diameters match the rims.
Using different tire sizes is more of simultaneously enjoying the benefits of small and large tires. The large tire will provide enough traction while the small tire provides speed.
Below are other reasons why having different tires sizes on both sides of a bike is okay;
#1. Comfortable Ride
Wider tires use their large surface area to grip the ground firmly, while the small tires use their small body.
This firmness gives the Ride an advantage when riding on rough, snowy, or rough terrains. The small tire, on the other hand, increases speed.
#2. Easy Handling
Different tire sizes make steering easy because smaller wheels are maneuverable due to their size.
In wet terrains, the tires will make the right turn and accelerate without the fear of skidding.
In addition, using two different tire sizes eases climbing. This benefit is because of the small tire’s body and the bigger tire’s ability to climb obstacles freely.
#3. Reduced Falling
Regarding acceleration, you can count on smaller tires due to their lightweight. But during speeding, the large tires provide friction/traction that holds the bike firmly to the ground.
While the bike increases in acceleration, it won’t fall, and that’s why it’s good for Beginners.
#4. Balancing
Due to the large surface area of larger bikes, the bike tends to be more stable as it bears the Rider’s weight.
So while the smaller tire eases turning and maneuvering, the bike still finds balance. Combining two different tires is a perfect arrangement for beginners learning how to ride.
#5. Suitable For Off And On-road
A combination of large and small tires makes riding on rough terrain a piece of cake.
Wider bikes create stability for the bike and make riding on rough terrains easy. While using two different tire sizes, you can ride on snowy and muddy roads.
Can You Put Different Sizes Of Wheels On A Bike?
Yes, you can put two different wheel sizes on a bike and even choose where to put the tires.
The front wheel could be light and narrow for easy riding and aerodynamics function. Additionally, slimmer tires in front will do well in accelerating too.
Contrarily, it would help if you considered placing the wider wheel behind the bike to bear enough weight and cause efficient braking.
However, you could choose to do otherwise if you want more traction and balance at the front of the bike.
In the process of getting a bigger tire for your bicycle, consider the rim sizes too.
If the rims can’t contain the wheels, consider changing the rim to the right one for the tire. Note; diameter size isn’t the same as width size.
You don’t need a new rim if the tire is big, only in width. But if it’s the diameter, get a new compatible rim.
#1. Can You Put Bigger Tires On A Mountain Bike?
You can put bigger tires on a mountain bike if the clearance permits. If the bike’s clearance isn’t large enough to contain the wheels, it will be impossible to put the bigger tires.
Bigger wheels on mountain bikes may change how the bike rides, so consider thinking twice before fitting these wheels.
However, opt for thick tires if you want to put on larger wheels to increase power.
#2. How To Remove The Initial Wheels
One of the qualities of a good Biker is the ability to remove and install wheels. Although, many Bike Repairmen are dealing with the removal and installation of Wheels.
- Move your bike into the smallest chainring and gear.
- Release the brakes. You may have a break release level built inside the bike or need to squeeze the brakes to release the cable tension. But if you have disc brakes, don’t worry about squeezing the brakes.
- Open the quick-release button on the wheel and loosen the bolt. The wheel should come out easily.
#3. Installing The New Wheels
- Ensure enough clearance to put a larger bike on the bike. Also, you should check if your brake type is compatible with the new wheel. You don’t need the clearance when installing.
- Properly place the tire in the dropouts.
- Cover the bolts and tighten them entirely to secure everything in their position. Ensure the front wheel level is facing the back of the fork, and the new rear wheel aligns with the chain.
- Tighten the brakes again. Check the alignment again.
Wider Tires In Front Or Back?
You might not ride the bike comfortably if you place the wider tire in the front.
Besides, the smaller tire at the back won’t provide enough traction. It’s better to put the wider tire at the back when riding on rocky roads.
Any bike’s rear side tire should have good braking abilities and a large surface area to balance the bicycle.
However, only wider tires are capable of performing the above functions. Wider wheels have more air volume to balance the bike, unlike smaller tires that are narrow for speeding alone.
Small tires are mostly reliable for acceleration due to their lightweight. They fail in terms of resistance and balance.
They won’t save the bicycle from falling after hitting a rocky surface if they’re behind the bicycle.
However, when riding in the snow, it’s advisable to put the wider tire at the front. The reason is that you should need a heavier wheel for traction to move through a snowy road.
Meanwhile, some Bikers alternate the position of the wheels based on their priorities and use large wheels ranging from 23mm to 28mm in diameter. Although, the width of the tire matters too.
Since tires’ width determine their performance, it’s necessary to know the widths of tires that fit on adult bicycles’ rims.
Hence, find below a table that shows the right tire sizes and their width;
| Tire Size | Width |
|---|---|
| 29-Inch | 2.2″-3″ |
| 27.5-Inch | 2.1″-3″ |
| 650B | 2.2″- 3″ |
| 700C | 23mm-45mm |
Final Thoughts
Installing different sizes of tires isn’t a bad idea because that combination offers lots of benefits to the bike’s performance.
And you place either of the tires anywhere on the bike, depending on how you want the function.
Just put the larger tire where you want more traction and the smaller tire where you need speed.
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