Recently i got a Specialized Allez Sport on my cycle to work scheme, which is an absolutely wicked bike for someone of my level. I'm really getting into it and don't really want to stop just because the winter is coming. The tyres that came with the bike are completely slick (i.e. no lines or patterns on at all). While they've served me well so far i'm not sure they're going to cut it when things get a little more hairy. Has anyone got any suggestions for reasonably priced tyres with a tread pattern which will serve me well throughout a glorious British winter. I use the bike mainly for training, not commuting (shh, dont tell cycle scheme), so want something I can do a lot of miles on which will give me more confidence than my slicks. Cheers!
Slick tyres that came with bike
- Thread starter Haizum
- Start date
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HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
If you were to add more tread to a road tyre you'll actually have less grip as less rubber will be in contact with the road surface. Road tread is only a marketing tool. Different rubber compounds seem to perform better in the wet though but this is usually costly. The best technique I've found is to actually ride the bike in those conditions, run a slightly lower psi and not to lean as much on turns.
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Hi Haizum and welcome to Cycle Chat.
If your training is on the roads then slick tyres will be fine in what ever the great British weather will throw at it unless it's ice or snow, where even tread wouldn't be of much help.
I commute all year round in all weathers on slick 23's with no problems.
If your training is on the roads then slick tyres will be fine in what ever the great British weather will throw at it unless it's ice or snow, where even tread wouldn't be of much help.
I commute all year round in all weathers on slick 23's with no problems.
amasidlover
Guru
- Location
- Gatley
+1 to the above...
However I have found mixed results from slicks (although universally better than treaded bike tyres) as it depends on the 'stickiness' of the tyre. I've been very happy with my Panaracer Racelite Hardcases (apart from fitting them which was a nightmare).
Also, the above doesn't apply to car tyres as the contact area of a slick car tyre is large enough to allow aquaplaning at motorway speeds - to aquaplane a bike tyre takes something over 100mph as its a much smaller contact point and therefore higher pressure is exerted on the road to displace water more quickly...
However I have found mixed results from slicks (although universally better than treaded bike tyres) as it depends on the 'stickiness' of the tyre. I've been very happy with my Panaracer Racelite Hardcases (apart from fitting them which was a nightmare).
Also, the above doesn't apply to car tyres as the contact area of a slick car tyre is large enough to allow aquaplaning at motorway speeds - to aquaplane a bike tyre takes something over 100mph as its a much smaller contact point and therefore higher pressure is exerted on the road to displace water more quickly...
Moodyman
Legendary Member
However I have found mixed results from slicks (although universally better than treaded bike tyres) as it depends on the 'stickiness' of the tyre. I've been very happy with my Panaracer Racelite Hardcases (apart from fitting them which was a nightmare).
Do you mean Bontrager Racelite Hardcase?
And yes, these are great tyres for the price.
Do you mean Bontrager Racelite Hardcase?
And yes, these are great tyres for the price.
amasidlover
Guru
- Location
- Gatley
Yep, that's what I meant - should have gone and checked....
awfulquiet
Well-Known Member
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
That's a spikey tyre - note the reference to it still being OK on roads with no ice.
The OP is about normal winter weather, ice is a separate issue.
monkeypony
Active Member
I tend to switch to a slightly wider 25c tyre for the wet and windy months. What you really need is a tyre that offers good puncture resistance, something like gator skins or marathons.
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Likewise...i run the winter bike with Gatorskin 25s with no major problems. Gators may not be the best mind for winter conditions, they can be a bit 'sqirrely' in the wet and definately need scrubbing in when they're new. Slipperier than a slippery thing when new in the wet but no real problems after that.
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
Did you see the weight of those? - 840gms each! - thats over 4 times as heavy as a good road tyre (Pro 3 Race) for example. Might be worth it if you want to ride on ice of course, but I am going to stick with the P3Rs all winter - I would rather enjoy the benefits of a light, fast tyre. Last winter was on Conti Ultra Sport without any problems - and plenty of riding in the frostiest and nastiest conditions. No 'unintended deflation' except for a faulty valve - nothing to do with the tyres - maybe I was just lucky.
I have an Allez (the 2010 entry level) and have rode it through part of last winter on the slick stock tyres. In terms of grip etc. I haven't noticed any real difference between them and the Specialized Armadillos I have since upgraded to and, from my experience, the slicks were certainly on a par in terms of grip. To echo monkeypony, the main benefit from changing for me has been the resistance to punctures rather than more grip. I had lots of punctures with the stock tyres, particularly in the colder months when the roads are usually wet and are covered in muck.
Thanks for all your replies! I think then what i'lll do is stick with what i've got for the time being, perhaps lower the pressure a little when things get bad. Depending on punctures I may upgrade to the Armadillo tyres because i'm not really too concerned about weight. Not really planning to cycle much when it starts to get icy, but might reconsider - need to look into that a bit more.. Thanks guys/gals for all your helpful suggestions!
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
This is not based on recent experience or many samples but I found the Nimbus Armadillo on the back of my sirrus extremely robust and P'ture resistance was good but I did also find it a little skittish in the wet.
jayonabike
Powered by caffeine & whisky
- Location
- Hertfordshire
I can recommend Continental Grand Prix 4 season tyres, very good puncture protection and good grip in the wet
http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=18794
jay
http://www.chainreac...x?ModelID=18794
jay
