Attack // Force tire style narrow front wide rear tire

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

So, I had someone slash one of my brand new Pirelli P7 Sport tires. It looked like someone used a razorblade and the gash was through to the casing. I had my other 32c Pirelli P7 Sport tire set, from which also the rear tire was vandalized. I decided to combine the two sets looked up any insight on running this style. I found that the Continental Attack Force tires are exactly this, although typically only 2mm difference. I feel like acceleration definitely increases with this style, which would make sense since there's more grip surface for that using the wider tire in the rear. This now might explain for me why people are compelled to believe that wider tires roll faster, despite that there's more friction. This might solve that conundrum. This style might also solve the conundrum around why they began making 26c tires. It's so you can run this style with 2mm difference between the front and back with a 28c tire in the back. I am intrigued to try that next and compare to this.

Running this style there's definitely more comfort, and it's also more aero with the narrow tire in the front. I feel like handling is really good. I am running the rear at max psi, which I believe is like 87psi and the front at around 90/95psi. So they are incredibly close. I have really enjoyed the experience so far.

Anyone else familiar with this? I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

[Logan-Kane]

Interesting setup! Mixing tire widths like that makes a lot of sense, with better grip in the rear and improved aerodynamics up front. Glad to hear it’s working well for you. Definitely worth trying!

[meamoantonio]

(06-01-2025, 12:47 AM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote:  So, I had someone slash one of my brand new Pirelli P7 Sport tires. It looked like someone used a razorblade and the gash was through to the casing. I had my other 32c Pirelli P7 Sport tire set, from which also the rear tire was vandalized. I decided to combine the two sets looked up any insight on running this style. I found that the Continental Attack Force tires are exactly this, although typically only 2mm difference. I feel like acceleration definitely increases with this style, which would make sense since there's more grip surface for that using the wider tire in the rear. This now might explain for me why people are compelled to believe that wider tires roll faster, despite that there's more friction. This might solve that conundrum. This style might also solve the conundrum around why they began making 26c tires. It's so you can run this style with 2mm difference between the front and back with a 28c tire in the back. I am intrigued to try that next and compare to this.

Running this style there's definitely more comfort, and it's also more aero with the narrow tire in the front. I feel like handling is really good. I am running the rear at max psi, which I believe is like 87psi and the front at around 90/95psi. So they are incredibly close. I have really enjoyed the experience so far.

Anyone else familiar with this? I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

Do you run a power meter? i'm super intrigued to know any watts savings generated from a setup like this, I wanna see numbers, its a very promising and intriguing theory that I wanna test out too haha

[GirishH]

You guys are true bike geeks! :-)

I honestly believe that wider tires roll faster, even if there’s more friction. That’s why I’m out bikepacking on my 4-inch fat bike. :-) Sorry to digress.

I’m just curious—what’s the difference in width between the front and rear tires? @ReapThaWhirlwind

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

I don't use a power meter. I can't really say you save watts either.

Remember that my setup is very exaggerated from the original. I have a 6mm difference between my tires. Normally it's supposed to be 2.

What I can say about it is that the ride is very supple. Acceleration potential feels dynamically greater. Overall attacking power feels laggy. Obviously, the wider tire in the back requires more energy, especially at 6mm difference. I plan on doing 25/28 mix soon enough. I can report again on that.

Overall, especially for basic riders, I think the overall experience is greatly improved. This especially includes the ability to handle bumps in the road. I'll be interested to see if this picks up and what points anyone agrees on.

For coherence, I am running a 26c in the front and a 32c in the back; both Pirelli P7 Sport tires.

[SPINMAN]

Some good info on rolling resistance from this site.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/specialized-air-trak-flex-lite

You can find your tires.

[Criminal]

I've been using various sized tires on bikes for decades. Nothing new; I guess being "rediscovered" by the younger crowd.

It certainly has no measureable aerodynamic advantage so you can get that out of your heads unless unless you travel long distances at high speeds (avg over 25 mph) then you might save a few seconds Probably a placebo boost thinking it makes the bike faster since it has more to do with tire pressure and weight distribution over tire width regardless of using mixed widths within reason.

6mm difference is nothing in the scheme of things if you do not consider all variables. I ride touring at 25-28mm front and 32 rear. Why, because of the load and ride position compared to a straight racing set up; and versatily when going off road; but certainly not for any aerodynamic gain. Many people forget the farther forward you are (saddle position, bar hand position & stem length) and vice versa affects tire surface contact area.

If your rear tire is wider than your frame then the negligible aero-advantage you thought you had is now negated so if the aero thing is what makes you think the bike is going faster at speeds under 25 mph at least use the sense to keep the tire width at frame width or less. Since I know that the aero disadvantage from running a 32mm over a 28mm rear tire (frame tube ~28.8mm) is meaningless I can be at ease with that insignificant loss of efficiency.