Which direction should your tyres be installed?

 Which direction should your tyres be installed?  Look at the direction of the knobs in the middle part of your tyres. 

The square-edge side offer resistance under braking while the angled edge maximize rolling speed. The square edges provide the "bite" for traction. When the square edge of the knobs of the rear tyre faces backward, they provide maximum grip for acceleration. When the square edge of the knobs on the front tyre faces forward they provide maximum grip when braking.

This is why some manufacturers provide different directional arrows for tyres that are installed on the front or rear wheels. If the tread on your tyres are symmetrical, like in most slick tyres, it does not matter if you do not follow the rotational arrows marked on them.

They are other factors that affect pedaling power and braking. You should go for tyres with deeper tread and wide spacing for better traction. The wide spacing between knobs helps shed mud and debris, which prevents the tread from packing up with dirt and losing traction As they provide better grip and prevent slippage, they also provide better braking power. However, you will experience greater rolling resistance which means that you will require more energy to maintain your speed.

Avoid choosing tyres with closer and smaller knobs in the centre as it will reduce the traction when you ride on soft or loose terrain like mud, snow, or loose gravel. However, it will be easier for you to pedal, especially, when you are cycling over hard-packed or paved surfaces.

Do you have to make a lot of turns where you often ride? If you need better traction when you make turns, go for tyres with big side knobs. They will provide reliable grip and control when you lean your bicycle into corners on uneven terrain.

Bicycle tyres manufacturer perform research and development (R&D) to enhance the performance of their product. So, shouldn’t we be following their instructions on installation? The question should be what is more important for you when you ride your bicycle. Do you prefer better pedaling power or higher braking power? Test by changing the rotation of your tyres to see what is best for you. There is no right or wrong answer as you can see in this video.