Slicks

[Iainj837]

Does anyone else use slicks in wet as well as the dry ?

 

[HovR]

Yep. I've used 23mm slicks on both soaking wet roads and bone dry ones. Haven't noticed a significant difference in traction between the two. I guess it will differ between tires though.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Why wouldn't you? Treaded bike tyres are only of benefit off-road.

Manufacturers make them for road tyres because most people assume that cars have them to improve grip, when they only serve to disperse water. If they improved grip, Formula 1 cars would always use them.

Bike tyres are too narrow to suffer from hydroplaning so slicks will always give you more grip, as they put the most rubber in contact with the road.

For more grip on the road you can either fit wider tyres or buy more expensive ones, which use softer and more technical compounds (but also wear more quickly).

 

[HLaB]

I use slicks all the time, on wet or dry. Slicks are actually better for the wet as there's more rubber in contact with the tarmac as opposed to a treaded tyre and aquaplaning isn't a problem unless you cycle @ circa 200mph +.

 

[Iainj837]

I am very happy on slicks, the only reason I ask ppl I work with notice that I have slicks on my bike, they always ask isn't it dangerous having no tread and I wanted to know how other ppl get on with them

 

[Aushiker]

Another yes. I use quality slicks, well Contiental GP 4000s with Black Chilli in my case year round. Have come off in a roundabout when I had Vittoria Zaffiro on the bike. Lesson learnt

Andrew

 

[HLaB]

I am very happy on slicks, the only reason I ask ppl I work with notice that I have slicks on my bike, they always ask isn't it dangerous having no tread and I wanted to know how other ppl get on with them

They people have a misplaced concern, they are wrong

 

[GrasB]

As said slicks are fine, for the most part they'll do better than any tread except for a light triangular tread like the Ultremo Aqua. A tread pattern like that improving grip in the wet, it's simply improving grip in all conditions on all but the smoothest of surfaces.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

As said slicks are fine, for the most part they'll do better than any tread except for a light triangular tread like the Ultremo Aqua. A tread pattern like that improving grip in the wet, it's simply improving grip in all conditions on all but the smoothest of surfaces.

That doesn't make sense: that one tread pattern would improve grip, whereas others don't.

Any increase in grip, over "regular" tyres, is surely down to the compound.

 

[GrasB]

That doesn't make sense: that one tread pattern would improve grip, whereas others don't.

Any increase in grip, over "regular" tyres, is surely down to the compound.

It's a case of what increases the actual surface area contacting the road & what reduces it. The light tread texture made by the small triangles makes a very flexible surface which can mold it's self to surface imperfections better than a pure slick tread. If you have a perfectly smooth surface like a wood velodrome floor then grip is reduced but if there's variation in the surface, a such as you find in asphalt, the physical contact area is increased & thus grip is. The requirements for this effect is a very light tread which is more of a surface texture to the tyre than a cut tread you get on a car tyre. The trade off is marginally increased rolling resistance (I've seen figures up to 2w at 30mph) but when conditions are greasy that trade off is well worth the Crr increase - you can't generate any meaningful power if you're burred in the hedge on the outside of the corner!

If you look at a typical tyre then you simply have deep grooves in the surface of the tyre. This doesn't allow for significant tread flex & so all you're doing is removing potential contact area from the surface of the tyre. For this reason grip is reduced as there is 'holes' in the tyres contact patch where it can make contact with the road surface.

 

[HLaB]

That doesn't make sense: that one tread pattern would improve grip, whereas others don't.

Any increase in grip, over "regular" tyres, is surely down to the compound.

I would 99% agree with you that it is down to the tyre compound but I was reading an interesting article last night, I think its saying that premise would be 100% true if our roads were perfect but our roads arent and limited strategic tread allows more of the tyre to be in contact with the rough surface; too much as most people in the know, know is worse.

Tread pattern matters, even on the road: The importance of tread pattern is no surprise to the off-road world but common wisdom says it's a non-factor on the road, where slick treads are assumed to deliver the greatest surface contact with the ground and thus, the best grip. However, asphalt is far from a perfect – or even consistent – material. Certain tread designs can provide a measureable mechanical adhesion to the ground.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Thanks for that GrasB & HLaB: every day's a school day!