Sure… I didn’t interchange them in 4 years. At this point (I can’t buy a new set right now) I think its better just to keep them in their original positions. I feel a tire with that wear would be too slippery as a front tire. What do you think?
by pelillo_de_gato
11 Comments
New rear tire. Zero question.
try using your front brake more?
Rear tire holds most of your weight and will wear faster. Once my rear wears out I move the front tire to the rear and buy a new one to replace the front.
See if you have a bike co-op or non profit in your area, they might be able to hook you up with a deal on a donated tire
Interchanging is risky, why put a worn down tyre on the front when a failure there will mean a nasty crash?
Personally my philosophy is front -> back -> bin. If you absolutely can’t buy a new tyre, definitely don’t swap them. Better to have a rear blow out than a front.
If your local tip/dump/transfer station has a salvage shop attached you can always check there for discarded tyres in better condition than what you have there on the rear. Sometimes people throw away a broken wheel with a perfectly good tyre still attached. Some skill in determining what ‘good condition’ is would be required, however.
Alternatively some more eco-conscious shops will keep the usable tyres customers discard (some customers discard tyres because of ride feel or other non-critical reasons) and might sell them for a couple of bucks.
That’s a dose of concentrated regret right there.
This tire is fine. Rubber + road = tire. What more do we want here? There is no casing showing and the OP hasnt reported getting flats. Yes, it is visibly worn and the time to replace it is closing in but considering that is 4 years of wear I don’t think that time is super near. It hasnt even gotten through the tread pattern and you can be sure there are mms of rubber below that.
I’ve never swapped tyres front/back but if I was going to do it I would suggest doing it much much sooner than you have.
You know you can buy only one tire, right?
Don’t question it, it’s the only thing connecting you to the ground. Get a new one.
4 years!? I go through a pair of Gatorskins per year.
I ride practically every day though, average 6 miles a day. But I’ll occasionally pull a 30+ mile ride.