Ron’s Front Bicycle Wheel Direction: Part 2

Ron can’t get enough of this front wheel question and we like to answer ALL reader’s queries, so Ron gets a second bite at the apple and we get to grips with some more interesting bike related facts and theories on which way valves point after a few rides

Question: Hi again! I wrote about which way round for the front wheel. Its not a quick release its an old Western Flyer middleweight from 1962. The tire on the front is a Cordovan. I can find no direction arrows anywhere. Anyway I mentioned the valve stem being crooked because I thought it would offer a clue as to which way the wheel turns forward. If the tube has slipped, which way would the stem point? I think it would point forward because the tire tugs toward the rear on the tube. If the tube moves back with the tire, the stem would point toward the front of the bike. If this is true then all I need to do is place the wheel with the stem pointing forward and mark the wheel somehow right or left side. Am I right? I also heard all the emblems should be on the chainguard side. One side of the tire has the inflation pressure, the other does not. Otherwise they look the same. If as you say it all does not matter then the heck with it. But I think the stem direction offers a clue! A tire moving forward would tend to slip the tube back causing the stem to point forward. What do you guys think? I don’t know what else to look for at this point.

Thank you for reading this, maybe now we can figure it out. I cannot help it, I love this bike It was mine at ten years old. Now I am 54.
Thanks
Ron.

Hi again Ron,
Good to hear from you and I think we will get to the bottom of this one now!

If there are no makings on the tire then it doesn’t matter which way it travels, and the wheel can go any direction, I think the emblems on the chain side comes from track racing, they always wanted the crowd in the stands to see what equipment the riders were using.

The valve would point forward when the wheel moves forward, but remember you also brake which could cause the tube to creep the other way, anyway don’t worry put the wheel back, make the valve straight and enjoy your bike, I bet it has stayed with you longer than most women!! 44 years is a long time.

Good to hear from you Ron, and enjoy your bike, it’s a beauty.