Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Backwards Tire
#1
I just noticed that a bike I bought had the front tire put on backwards. Is it safe just to switch the wheel around or do I have to take the tire off and flip it? Basically I'm curious to know if the quick release lever has to be on the left side of the bike or can I flip the wheel around and have it on the right side?
  Reply
#2
No reason at all why you can't flip the front wheel.
Just take out the QR and put it in the other side.
If there is a magnet for a speedo then that will need moving as well.

The only thing if there is a label on the rim this will look odd?
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
Is it a directional tyre or are you just going on the tread pattern? if it's directional it will have an arrow on the sidewall, unless it's a very technical tyre or you do extreme off road, it probably wont matter much which way it rotates.
It doesn't really matter which side the qr lever goes on the front, but the convention is on the left because this is the side for the rear.
  Reply
#4
Also make sure you don't have disc brakes. That would make things tough.
  Reply
#5
(05-12-2010, 12:18 PM)trevgbb Wrote:  Is it a directional tyre or are you just going on the tread pattern? if it's directional it will have an arrow on the sidewall, unless it's a very technical tyre or you do extreme off road, it probably wont matter much which way it rotates.
It doesn't really matter which side the qr lever goes on the front, but the convention is on the left because this is the side for the rear.

It's a directional tire. That's what made me question it when I saw both arrows pointing towards the center of the bike. If I wasn't trying to figure out what spare tubes to buy, I never would have noticed it. From what I can tell, the ride isn't any different.
(05-15-2010, 08:21 PM)Jordan300 Wrote:  Also make sure you don't have disc brakes. That would make things tough.

Nope, no disc brakes. So I'm all good.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Can’t explain why, but night rides feel ...
Yesterday 11:21 PM
Shimano RevoShift upgrade
Yesterday 11:18 PM
Freehub replacement sealed bearing wheel
Yesterday 11:16 PM
Sram Transmission derailleur possibly de...
Yesterday 04:39 PM
Some mountian biking tips I've got from ...
09-10-2026 08:00 PM
Andre leducq bike. Any idea on value
09-10-2026 08:59 AM
Newbie here, just introducing!
09-10-2026 08:53 AM
How new adventures begin..
09-08-2026 03:01 PM
Vintage (and mint) Torelli...unknown yea...
09-07-2026 06:32 PM
Hoping someone can help me identify this...
09-07-2026 05:42 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Flowrider
25 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
20 posts
no avatar 3. SPINMAN
14 posts
no avatar 4. Sidewinder
12 posts
no avatar 5. froze
11 posts