newbie needing advice on tyres

[justkeeppedaling]

hi folks, first of all well done on such a friendly forum, I have been lurking in the background since last year sourcing info when needed

Anyway my situation is as follows. I bought a Triban3 late last summer and was doing pretty well up till october when I got ill. Then came the bad weather etc.of winter and I didnt feel like getting out until now.

I tried a ride about a month ago but came off on an icy road and hurt myself pretty bad.Not been out since
I have lost all confidence in the bike now and I am looking to put some different tyres on for better grip etc.
So my question is, what type of tyres do I need to ride in todays conditions, 4 deg and rainy/wet.
The triban has 700x23 pretty much slick tyres that were supplied with the bike, the more i look at them the more I feel like i'll fall off again if i go out in the wet.
This is from someone who was full of confidence and couldnt get enough of cycling last year.
So if you experienced guys could give a little advice as to how i can get back on the road I would appreciate it. I have my first sportive booked in April and really need to get some training in.

 

[ianrauk]

The slicker tyres the better for the wet. You don't need tread on road bike tyres.
Bicycle tyres don't aquaplane unless you are travelling something silly like 80mph.
In this weather just be careful of road metal works and painted lines.
The ones you have on your bike will be fine. Though someone else with a Triban will come along and offer a far better opinion then mine.

 

[mcshroom]

There aren't really any tyres that will work on ice unless they have studs and I don't think you can fit studded tyres to a Triban 3.

For road riding, having no tread is actually better for grip. In simple terms as your tyre is softer than the road surface, it deforms to the shape of the road underneath it so the more tyre there is to deform the better the grip. It's the same principle as formula 1 tyres. Tread is added to car tyres as they can aquaplane, but due to the narrowness of road tyres you'd need to be doing well over 100mph to have that problem on a bike

If you really want treaded tyres then touring tyres like Schwalbe Marathons go down to 25mm, which should fit, but the slick tyres should be fine. Just slow down a bit if it's icy, try and stick to treated roads and try not to lean in too much on corners.

X-post with ian

 

[justkeeppedaling]

thanks guys, i really thought I must be doing something wrong and everybody must be changing their tyres for this time of year. It was no more than the camber of the road that took me off about a month ago, the wheels just swept from under me whilst riding in a straight line, really has dented my confidence. I think i'll get changed and have a half hour blast and see if I can come back in one piece.

 

[malcermie]

As the old saying goes 'get back on the horse'

 

[justkeeppedaling]

just been out and to be honest it wasnt as bad as I expected apart from the cold, it was really wet but didnt feel too bad, just need to get my confidence back i suppose.
is there anything that would make it a little safer 700x25 maybe or should i keep my wallet in my pocket.

 

[ianrauk]

just been out and to be honest it wasnt as bad as I expected apart from the cold, it was really wet but didnt feel too bad, just need to get my confidence back i suppose.
is there anything that would make it a little safer 700x25 maybe or should i keep my wallet in my pocket.

Keep your wallet in your pocket.
Only get new tyres when the ones you have get worn.

 

[Peteaud]

I have continental touring on my winter bike that have been good, but, i also have Schwalbe Luganno on the road and they have been good as well.

http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p51666/Sc...-Puncture-Protection.aspx?utm_source=googleps

But keep the cash untill you need them.

 

[justkeeppedaling]

thanks for the advice, feel a lot more positive now.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

As written above, slicks actually offer more grip than treaded tyres, however nothing will grip on ice/wet leaves etc.

I would add that wider tyres will offer improved traction, as there is more rubber on the road.

I doubt you would notice the difference between 23c and 25c, but if they will fit on your rims and under your mudguards, 28c will give you more grip.

As well as switching between the two sizes, I also choose something with puncture protection for the Winter on account of all the extra debris swilling around and it's more likely to be dark, wet, cold or all three if you puncture in Winter.