Matched tires (same type from same company) are typically set up to wear out at about the same time. If the fronts have less innate wear (because there is no engine) then they'll have thinner tread. It's kinda like brakes in cars (maybe bikes too)... even though the fronts do most of the work the front and rear pads usually wear out at about the same time because the back pads are smaller. Substitute "shoes" for "pads" if dealing with antiques. It's for the same reason too... thinner tread or smaller brakes allow a lower unsprung weight which improves the suspension behavior.
Plus of course they are cheaper, therefore more profitable to manufacture.
I always go on the theory that I will go through two rear tyres for every front even when they are the same model and compound.
The rear just wears out a lot faster than the front.
Mintbread wrote:I always go on the theory that I will go through two rear tyres for every front even when they are the same model and compound.
The rear just wears out a lot faster than the front.