Took my wheels in for tire replacement. The shop put on my new Kenda 270's. When I had them home and ready to put the wheels back on the bike I noted a small directional arrow on the rear tire but the installer had ignored the arrow. The tires look perfectly symmetrical - are the tires installed incorrectly? Are they directional? Does the arrow represent something else like valve placement? Any thoughts or experience with this tire? I'll call the shop tomorrow but wonder about their answer. (Image of bike from chain/sprocket side) Stever
It is worth checking with the shop who did it. But you should be fine I believe. I have run fronts backwards to deal with cupping ...and maybe once because I put it on wrong! That all being said as a disclaimer I am in no way an expert and I am not saying that 100% problem free Good luck
Thanks for your response. I went back to the shop today and four perplexed mechanics discussed the Kenda tire issue. As it happened a customer was there with a new Kenda street tire for install. It clearly had a directional tread pattern and was marked with a large arrow with the word 'drive' in the middle. However it also had the other 'symbol' of an arrow with a circle around it- this was pointing in the opposite direction from the 'drive' arrow. What the heck!! The mechanics opined that my install would make no difference. My tread was symmetrical so direction was a non issue. I have a call into Kenda. At the very least it seems like unnecessary confusion. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I just had a call back from Kenda Co. in Ohio, U.S.A. The rep said, "we have had a lot of calls and confusion about that symbol". It is some kind of symbol for their Japan shippers- it is meaningless as far as tire direction. The big arrow with the word "drive" is what matters. If it ain't there the tire can be installed either way. The tread is indeed symmetrical. Hope this clears any confusion for anyone else.
Hi, It is possible that the dot with the arrow indicates a lighter area on the tire for installation as quoted in the following. This is from an old service manual for a 1975 Can am TNT. “At the installation of a new tire, the painted dot on the side of the bead indicates a lighter point on the tire and should be placed as described. Front or rear wheel without rim lock: next to the valve Front or rear wheel with rim lock: next to the rim lock Rear wheel with 2 rim locks: midway between the 2 rim locks.”
Hi, You are right about the 'painted' spot on a tire. If it is present then some balancing is required. The K270's have no painted spot and balancing is not required. The Kenda street tire I saw 'did' also have a paint spot as well as the circle/small arrow symbol and required balancing weights. I will take the rep from the company's word that the symbol is just some kind of shipping symbol and ride with confidence that they are installed with no problems. Thanks for your response and info.
As an aside, some people pull their tires off when they start obviously wearing and reversing them so that they wear in the "other" direction. This is obviously more pertinent to an omnidirectional tire like the 270. Ride well. Bruce
