slicks v threaded tyres

Taxuser1

riding slicks in the dry is obviously never a concern because I'm not thinking of sliding. The comfort allows me to take more risks racing. so grip is the same in my mind in the dry, whichever tire choice is made.

However there's a lot of evidence to suggest racing in the wet shouldn't be too much different in the dry. There is no aquaplaning because the surface area is so small. There should be no reason to slip and slide more than using a threaded tyre in the wet if using equal tyre pressure - the grooves do little to provide added grip according to some specialists.

Does anyone have anything to add to this other than what Sheldon Browne or anyone else says. I think it's more a mental thing to go quick or not in the wet on slicks compared to threaded tyres, a battle I'm struggling with.

going downhill in the wet on slicks, turning left and right and braking at speed should be no more risky than threaded tyres? Discuss ?

Beasty

Nothing to do with tread. It's the tyre compound that makes a difference. Gatorskins can have as much tread as you like but will still be slippier in the wet than many other tyres with less tread

Cee-Jay-Cee

I used Pro4 SC's in all conditions and while you have to take additional care in the wet, I never once felt I was lacking grip with them.

I now have GP4000's and while they have thread on the side/edges the contact patch is slick, again I've never felt a lack of grip with them.

I used to have Schwalbe Lugano's in my winter bike which have a diamond cut style thread pattern over the entire tyre and grip with them in the wet was shÍte at best.

Taxuser1

Beasty wrote: »

Nothing to do with tread. It's the tyre compound that makes a difference. Gatorskins can have as much tread as you like but will still be slippier in the wet than many other tyres with less tread

for the lesser informed, the tyre compound would be made of ? Some well known brand type names ?

i ask this because as winter approaches, you have everyone stocking up on tyres at bargain prices thinking they're winter ready and safe with well known brands. Some are not fit for winter purpose when you do slip and slide.

cython

Taxuser1 wrote: »

for the lesser informed, the tyre compound would be made of ? Some well known brand type names ?

i ask this because as winter approaches, you have everyone stocking up on tyres at bargain prices thinking they're winter ready and safe with well known brands. Some are not fit for winter purpose when you do slip and slide.

Most tyre compounds are proprietary formulas, and thus can't really be compared across brands in that manner. However, based on general comments on GP4000sII's, and my own experience with Conti tyres, any of theirs with "Black Chili" compound/formula (including the standard GPs) tend to be pretty grippy, and to my knowledge this is something missing in Gatorskins, which many people find lacking in grip. Other brands may have similar brandings for their higher end tyres that trickle down similarly, but it's only really of use within the same brand in terms of comparison, as each company's will be different.

Beasty

I use Continental GP2000s' year round - their chili compound is claimed to make them a lot grippier and I've certainly never had issues

Taxuser1

for anyone riding tubulars ? what would be the recommendation in the wet ?

koutoubia

Michelin have re- entered the tubular so maybe worth a look. Conti Competition seem to be the pro choice for all weather.
Vittoria with their Kevlar 3d compound can leave you nervous.

Taxuser1

i've the Hutchinson carbon comps tubular. Honestly it's the best grip i've felt in the dry on any tyre.

However, i'm slightly nervous with even a small bit of damp weather on them. it doesn't say if it's made of a soft compound or not but it does say it's a dry day tyre choice.

Fian

I have no personal insight into this, but I have read (possibly on this forum) that threads make zero difference to bicycle tyres and are added to the tyres only because people more used to car tyres find them reassuring.

As I say I don't have the expertise to proffer my own opinion, as opposed to regurgitating what i have read previously, but it certainly seems to make sense that the small threads on bike tyres and the small surface area mean that the threads are not going to have any impact in channeling water away and increasing contact with the road surface. It seems unlikely that there will be enough room in the threads to make a difference.

OTOH Mountain bike knobbly tyres obviously do help with grip on muddy paths.

Borderfox

From years ago racing, I would use Vittoria open pave tubs in the early season about 28mm wide and in the wet they were fantastic. I still use their clincher version nowadays

gaffmaster

I remember reading (probably on here) that there's no need for a thread on road bike tyres, as the contact point with the ground is so narrow, that aquaplaning can't happen. #science

magicbastarder

cars generally only aquaplane above 53mph anyway - and given that you (well, me certainly) would not worry too much about hitting that speed on a bike on a flat surface, it still wouldn't be a problem anyway. but yes, tyres are so narrow that clearing water is not an issue.