Tire Load Ratings?

[Guest]

Question: Do tire load ratings compound?

I kind of asked this in another thread, but I want to give it its own thread and clear it up. I bought tires with a 61 rating. This means they have a max load of almost 600LBS. So does this mean that together they can hold 600 or that combined they hold 1200? I can't find that the question has been asked in this forum, and a google search turned up conflicting answers but leaned towards the compounding answer of 600lbs per tire.

thanks

[Steve]

If a tire has a weight rating of 600 pounds, it means that that tire is rated for 600 pounds when it is inflated at its maximum rated pressure and operated no higher than its rated speed.

If your other tire has a rating of 400 pounds, that means that the two tires are rated to carry a maximum of 1000 pounds. BUT, that does not mean you can simply load it all up to 1000 pounds. What about the wheel? What about the suspension? What about the axle? what about the frame, itself? Your actual load-carrying capacity will be the lowest of any of those values.

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[bwringer]

They combine, as noted above, but why on earth are you worrying about this?

[detorn]

They combine, as noted above, but why on earth are you worrying about this?

well I ordered two tires that showed up separately. The first one showed up and said it had a load rating of 567LBS. My bike is almost 500lbs on its own, so 60lbs of me was not worried at all, it was the other 150lbs that got nervous

[Steve]

That would only be a problem if you are constantly only on one wheel.

What is the load rating on the other tire? That should ease your tension just a little bit.

EDIT: I just re-read your original post, it appears that both tires have the same weight rating? If so, the tires will have the ability to hold up 1134 pounds, but I'll bet the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) on your bike is considerably less than that. Look back at my previous post and ask yourself, "what is the rating on the other components?"

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[detorn]

yea, as long as it is a combined rating I'm fine. I haven't received the front yet, but as long its over 200lbs I'm fine.

I just wanted to be sure. Just had to ship one set of tires back because of a mistake I made. Didn't want to do it again.

thanks for the info.