I am racing clinchers this year (H3 rear an Zipp 404 front) because I am too poor to keep nice tubular wheels around just for race day and was wondering which clincher tire should go up front. Both are new… Specialzied Mondo Open Tubular or Michelin Pro Race3. I am thinking that I should put the better tire up front and since they are both 23s it probably doesn’t matter (could not find either in a 21) or does it? Please note, I could only get one Mondo Open Tubular or I would run them front and back.
Not responsive to your question: But in a passenger vehicle you should put new tires on the rear.
Tire in best condition always goes on the front. A blowout on the front is far more hazardous than the rear.
Tire in best condition always goes on the front. A blowout on the front is far more hazardous than the rear.
On a car, yes, on a bike I’d argue for the rear. The rear tire is under more load than the front.
JJ
AFAIK, the rear tire wears quicker, since it has to endure a heavier load. Do with that what you will.
Here are 2 conflicting options for you:
best tire up front, since your cornering and braking is happening there, and it’s potentially worse/harder to handle if you are going fast a get a blowout up front.
best tire in back, since more weight goes there, and it’s more of a PIA to change a rear flat.
Here’s the actual answer - neither. If you are racing clinchers, you want Bonty RXL Pro (w/ latex tubes) in front and back.
PS - how do you determine the Mondo is “better” than the PR3?? Price? Rolling resistance? Guy at the LBS said so?
The S Works Mondo Open Tubular is rated as having one of if not the best rolling resistance out there and the thread count is 290 tpi… You can pump it up to 200 psi if you want, but I won’t. A wrench friend who used to own a shop that was exclusively Trek told me the Bonty RXL Pro, while light and good specs on rolling resistance is actually crap as it cuts very easily. I plan on putting it up front, unless there is some scientific reason to run it on the rear wheel since most of the flats I have had have been in the front from hitting pot holes or other road debris.
Put the better tire up front. If you lose traction on the rear wheel, you will fishtail and can usually recover. Slide out the front wheel and it’s tarmac breakdancing time.
Best tire on the back. All this “put it on the front to help steering” is goofy. You’re triathletes for crying out loud. It’s not like you’re doing a crit (and btw, as someone who does road race and takes turns quickly, I have no fear about a worn tire on the front). As someone else noted, rears wear faster (by 4x or more than the fronts) so clearly a better performing rear is more advantageous for speed. You’ll make a lot more time up in rolling resistance than any perceived benefit of better handling around turns. Think about - you’re probably going straight 99%+ of the time.
Both tires are new and probably of equal capability for handling…I was thinking of putting the highest tpi tire up front because that is where I seem to flat most.