Should both tyres be the same model?

[Dom]

How important is it to keep the front and back tyres the same? I need to replace my rear tyre and might not be able to find the same make/model. If I have to get a different rear should I think about changing the front as well so they stay the same?

[marc]

Some will argue passionately that you are asking for nasty things to happen unless the front is precisely matched to the rear. They might even be correct. I ignore them anyway.

I've run with tires from different vendors, bias with radial, knobby front and non-knobby back, and probably other configurations, too. So far I'm still alive to tell the tale. Maybe I've been lucky. Or maybe it's not as important as some believe.

I do pay attention to tire size (won't run a too big or too small tire on the rim), load rating, and speed ratings.

[cug]

Originally Posted by marc

Some will argue passionately that you are asking for nasty things to happen unless the front is precisely matched to the rear.

That is absolutely right. The rear should be behind the front and the front ... aeh, you get the idea ...

Bad things will happen otherwise.

[Dom]

Thanks Marc,

Thats precisely what I thought. It's just good to ask - and good to here.

[Fudmucker]

The important thing to me is that the tire manufacturers match the front and rear for performance. Mixing may create an unmatched situation that affects handling fatally.

That said, I have on occasion had to mix in transition -e.g. when I am moving from tire A to tire B and they are not equally worn. I find I wear out 2 rear tires for every front. So, if the front is worn down, I would change both to tire B. If only the rear is worn I put tire B on the rear until the front needs replacement to tire B.