I just noticed today that I was running both of my Conti 4000s to where they were rotating opposite of the rotation arrow. I believe they have been like that for several races. Fixed it but was wondering if there was a price I was paying. BTW, the rotation arrow is really, really, really hard to find on these tires. Had to use 200x readers in direct sunlight to see it.
In the case of the conti 4000s, direction is not important. They put em on there for anal people who need to see an rotation arrow. Other tires may be different.
The arrow just means it is a directional tire. Directional tires typically have an arrow like tread pattern that when mounted in the opposite direction can cause poor traction in wet/snowy conditions. It does not effect any other aspect of your ride quality in the dry.
I just noticed today that I was running both of my Conti 4000s to where they were rotating opposite of the rotation arrow. I believe they have been like that for several races. Fixed it but was wondering if there was a price I was paying. BTW, the rotation arrow is really, really, really hard to find on these tires. Had to use 200x readers in direct sunlight to see it.
For the life of me I cannot find directional arrows on my Conti 4000s (I and II). But logically, directional arrows can only matter for tread patterns, not rubber–don’t see any plausible way rubber could be made directional. So in theory, the slightly different sidewall tread pattern on the 4000s might clear water slightly more/less effectively or, I suppose, be slightly more/less aero. But I recall reading that in the case of the 4000s, they only stuck a (almost invisible) directional arrow on them because customers were asking about it, not because Conti actually thinks it makes any difference.
For the life of me I cannot find directional arrows on my Conti 4000s (I and II).
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For the life of me I cannot find directional arrows on my Conti 4000s (I and II).
I’ve seen the pictures, and my eyes are perfectly fine, but I wasn’t able to locate that on my tires. I’ll check again.
I think it’s also on only one side of the tire.
I think it’s also on only one side of the tire.
Yes, it is only on one side and not very prominently on that side.either.
Hugh
The tread pattern on Contis also indicates tire rotation direction.
I just noticed today that I was running both of my Conti 4000s to where they were rotating opposite of the rotation arrow. I believe they have been like that for several races. Fixed it but was wondering if there was a price I was paying. BTW, the rotation arrow is really, really, really hard to find on these tires. Had to use 200x readers in direct sunlight to see it.
That’s awful…because you would have won those races had your tires been spinning in the proper direction 
If you’re in a time traveling DeLorean, and you go 88mph with your tires on backwards, you’ll go forward in time instead of backwards as you planned, or vice versa
Otherwise, I don’t think there’s any difference
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I just replaced a tire on our running stroller and the tread pattern is opposite of the other tire. I haven’t decided if I’m obsessive enough to fix it.
I don’t know if it makes you slower but conti must have a reason they make the tire unidirectional. I know to check and sometimes I still mount them backwards, yup I’m anal yes I remount them. This is only an issue for the back the front you can just flip the wheel, as long as you don’t have disc breaks.
The arrow is hard to find so I agree with this “The tread pattern on Contis also indicates tire rotation direction.”
the front you can just flip the wheel
…unless your rim or hub is uni-directional.
That’s awful…because you would have won those races had your tires been spinning in the proper direction
You jest but there is a possibility that I’ve seen the results of a tire test and it’s possible the conti’s might have been more aero in the test I may have seen if you run them the wrong way.
I just replaced a tire on our running stroller and the tread pattern is opposite of the other tire. I haven’t decided if I’m obsessive enough to fix it.
Well obviously it must pull like crazy to one side.
Which side?
I think you can also tell by the image of the tire on the edge of the tire. Forward is the side with the sharper angle.
It turns out it’s totally fine, just an aesthetic thing.
Quick poll…who went over and checked their Conti 4000’s? Found the arrow and I’m good. Now I can rest easy.
I changed them last night to rotate with the arrow. Woke up this morning (race at 6:30am) and the front tire was flat. Reinflated, took my training wheel with me, and went to the race. Checked again before the swim start and tire was @60%. Raced with the training wheel. So, I haven’t check to see if I’m faster with both rotating the “correct” direction 