Directional tires

[EscourtU]

I spaced off one night when swapping tires and installed the rear the wrong way. I figured it wouldn't matter. After going up a hill last night with some leaves and spun out, I quickly realized that it does make a difference. Once it started to spin it poped into my head immediately. I am wondering if it will be worse when the snow falls? Anyone have any experience with this silly mistake? I am probably going to fix it because it has been bothering me. I just didn't think it would make that much of a difference.

[flombe]

Also post up on MTBR.com and ask about your specific tires. Generally the rear should run in the direction specified. With certain tires, reversing direction of the front tire can enhance performance.

[kidinthecorner]

I've installed tires backwards many times. It's especially annoying when that tire has a DH casing and I have just spent 30 minutes wrestling that tire onto the rim.

In general I think you'll find that tires facing one direction have enhanced climbing characteristics and the same tires facing the opposite direction will have enhanced braking characteristics.