Select’s or Extreme’s

[spence]

Having a bit of a nightmare with wet/slippy roads at the moment (see other post on confidence) and I’m looking for something to blame. So I’m starting with the tyres.

I’m not very familiar with road tires and what’s good and what’s not. The bike came with Bonty Select’s (http://bontrager.com/model/02260/en) on it; these seem to me a little hard but do have a minimal tread pattern. The web blurb says they have excellent wet weather grip, I’m not convinced. Nothing against the Bonty tires as I run Jones XR’s and AXC’s on the 5-Spot (summer and winter).

When I brought the bike the shop gave me a pair of Panaracer Extreme Evo3’s (http://www.panaracer.com/products/road/detail_ex_evo3.html) again the web blurb says they are all weather inc. wet but are a race tire. And at £35 RRP not cheap.

So would putting the Extremes on make much difference? Anyone got any experience of them? Or is just in my head…….

 

[fossyant]

OK.. there is no need for any tread on a road bike at all....it won't aquaplane until over 200 mph.... the key is compound...and even then..it's reading the road..

I use Mich Pro Race 2's - they now have 3's.... great tyres, but on rubbish surfaces you still have to be careful....my back end was skipping out today, and even skidding on some hills....the roads are greasy at the moment....

 

[Fab Foodie]

In slippy conditions you need to take caution whatever the tyre, but some are fractionally better than others, but only up to a point. Road surface conditions are a great leveller, especially a slight bit of damp on a road that's been dry for a while, or the recent damp salty roads can be very tricky on 2 wheels. Furthermore, new tyres are shiny and can also have a thin layer of mould-release agent on them. They need a bit of scrubbing-in also. New Motor-cycle tyres can be notorious for the last 2 reasons.


I can't comment spence on your tyre options, though in response to fossyant I can say from experience thet the PR3 is so much better then the PR2 which I found a bit hairy in the wet. I also run Krylion Carbons am am not overly happy on them on the damp skiddy stuff.

 

[spence]

Thanks. I know tyres are a contentious issue and a personal thing - could not get on with Conty Vert Pros on the full-sus but find them great on the hardtail - so I guess it's a suck it and see thing untill "I'm happy".

 

[Fab Foodie]

I also run my tyres a few psi (up to 5) lower when I know it will be slippy I don't know how much benefit it provides, but it makes me feel better!