Triumphrat

dazco · 10-02-2007

Almost a year ago i replaced my stock metzlers with new metzlers of the same models. I then experienced a strange vibration that only happened in 2nd gear between 15-25 MPH. I could not imagine how a tire could cause that w/o the slightest problem at any other speed in any other gear. it wouldn't even do it at the same speeds in 1st or 3rd. No one had ever heard of this exact problem and i literally tried everything you can imagine and found no problems with anything. Even replaced the front wheel bearings. And no, it wasn't the chain or sprockets, as i replaced them with no change.

In any case, i recently saw a post at BA where a guy described my exact problem and just as myself it happened right after installing the same ties on the same bike. My problem finally disappeared after about 7k miles, and i now know it was the tire. Heres the question....while i cannot see how it could possibley matter, is there any reason i should not go to a different brand on front? The tire has worn badly and now the front wobbles a lot. so i want to replace it with something other than a metzler because i don't want to chance this happening again. I've heard the opinion that mixing brands is a marketing thing. I tend to agree. I mean, front and rears on a stock bike are very different tires in all ways including size, so why would mixing brands matter? It's not like on a car where all tires can be exactly the same.

What do you think? And if you think it's ok, what would you suggest as a sticky tire. I'm all for safety over tire life. Pilot roads maybe? (or whatever the name is)