Tubular driven direction

[Romano]

I heard from a bike mecanic that for rear wheels the best way to stick tubulars is on the opposite direction than front one !!!

We can notice that for Michelin Jet tires there is an arrow for front wheel and an other (on the other side) for rear one.
So why not for tubulars ? even if it is not specified on manual...

What do you think of that ???

Thanks for your help.

Romano....

[simon]

i mount every rear wheel tubular opposite way, because the grip while pedalling is better. i don't know if the difference is that big, maybe it's just a spleen of me or i think grip is better. theoretically the rolling resistance is a bit higher though(most likely feelable on road).

[Boonen]

I'm also for mounting the rear tub the 'wrong' way. I have a feeling it gives more grip when accelerating or riding in loose sand etc. It also depends a bit on the tubular you are using, but most have a bit of a v-shaped thread. For these (IMO) it makes a difference in the rear. On tubs with diamond thread it doesn't make a difference, so I just mount them with the decals on the chainside.
I have heard people who have different set's of wheels with the same tubs mounted both 'wrong' and 'right' that say it make's a difference on certain tracks, but I never was that obsessed with it.

[Romano]

thanks for your opinions.

i only have to make many tests

Of course that is a detail but I pesonnally think that in a so technic sport and of course at a high level each details are important.

[simon]

i bought the new tour magazine today there is a story about some cyclocross racers. hanka kupfernagel has both front and rear wheel mounted the other way round...but i don't think that serves much, they rather mounted the front wheel the wrong way...