Slicks on new bike

[Inertia]

Hi guys, I finally cracked and bought a road bike, a 2014 defy 1. I have a question that may be daft but I'd rather ask than remain ignorant. It came with slicks on it which have NO grip at all, which is a contrast coming from a mountain bike. I assumed it was normal however after seeing my friends bikes; although they are mostly slick, on the edges they do have some grip. Its made a little nervous about using it on the wet, should I replace the slicks or do you think I will be fine?

Thanks

 

[StuAff]

Absolutely no problem in the wet whatsoever. Tread means less grip, not more, on roads, and bike tyres don't aquaplane (unless you're doing 200 kph or so!).

 

[Keith Oates]

The slicks will be fine although as with any tyre, riding in the wet requires more caution than if it is dry. The theory is that unless the speed of you on the bike is above 200 KPH the tyre will go through the water and onto the road and not aquaplane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Inertia]

Thanks guys, when they ask me I can explain and sound like I knew that all along

I guess my mistake was thinking of F1 where they s**t themselves and race to the pits to change slicks for rain tyres

 

[HLaB]

I think a flat wide mtb tire only needs 60mph to Aquaplane but I don't think even Cav could do that
As said above tread means less of your tire is in contact with the road, so a tire with has less grip than a slick.

 

[festival]

Excellent bike.
Giant own brand tyres are very good

 

[the_mikey]

Slick tyres are generally fine, wet weather grip is determined by the compound used to produce the tyre and tyre pressure, more than the apparent grip on the tyre. Wet weather can turn a great dry weather tyre into a slippery puncture magnet!

 

[wakou]

You'll be fine. What you call 'grip' is nothing of the sort, it is there on your MTB to ride in mud and other loose surfaces. Consider Formula 1 cars.. No tread there, and they go at 200 mph.... 'tread' on car tyres is there to push water away, and stop it forming a film between the rubber and the road, and thereby prevent 'aquaplaning'. Aquaplaning can't happen at cycling speeds. Do not worry, have fun.....

 

[MikeW-71]

They'll be fine. Give them a few rides in the dry first though to scrub off the release agent that all new tyres will have, which is very slippery in the wet. After that wet weather will be no problem, just don't lean as much.

My stock Giant tyres were very good for grip, but turned out to have a harsher ride than the Conti GP4000S that I replaced them with (after I wore them out).

 

[Kies]

I changed my Defy 1 tyres this year after 2000 odd miles with the originals. Stick with them.good in all weather, just take care in the wet, which is true of all tyres

 

[themosquitoking]

Same here, used my standard defy tyres until they wore out with no problems.

 

[Inertia]

Thanks for all the replies, I feel reassured and better educated on the subject . Im gradually getting the hang of the clips too. I lost my nerve a bit this week after a clipless moment but am getting it back.