Tyres for the wet
SimonSteer
Posts: 45
I have never been out on the bike in anything other than light drizzle, or a short shower. I have the standard tyres for my Allez, Specialized Mondos, which are slick. I'm entering a sportive in a couple of weeks, and was thinking....if it rains, will these be OK? Should i get a set of something like treaded tyres. The Conti GP 4000 for example or Gatorskins
Thanks
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Tread pattern serves no purpose for road bikes; slick is ideal, dry and wet. Given that, if your tyres are in good condition now, then they'll no doubt be fine for the ride you have planned. The others you mention are popular here. I've been lucky this time with some Specialized Roubaix tyres for a couple of thousand miles without punctures, but I suspect a large random component in these matters.
Using 25 mm rather than 23 mm tyres makes a nice difference to comfort on longer rides, though.0 -
on bikes you can't aqua plane, which what tread on cars is for, on bikes tread for road bikes is for marketing and or light park use.
for road grip you want the softest rubber and widest tire,
personaly i'd just stick with what you've got unless there is any reason to think they will be like bambi on ice?0 -
If it's wet, don't pump your tyres 'rock hard' drop them down 10psi or so - the softer tyre has a bigger footprint and therefore grip. A 25mm tyre has a fatter carcass and so can be run at a lower pressure without risk of an impact puncture.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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Thanks guys.
Great, useful responses0 -
Another option Si, would be to use a wet weather tyre at the front and a standard tyre at the rear - for example - Pro 3 Grip or Open Pave at the front.
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... -Grip.html0 -
Also, I found tubulars to grip better than clinchers in corners (given similar compounds), and you can get open tubulars which IIRC, should fit a clincher type rim.0
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You could try a Vittoria Pave tyre. I've also found that Challenge Criteriums work well in the wet; they have a supple casing and a nice round form rather than high tech rubber compounds.0
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If you have the standard Specialized Mondos I'd be more worried about punctures. :shock:0
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Never had a puncture on my Mondos0
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Conti GP4000 and Gatorskins are good tyres IMHO but as has previously been stated you're not going to aquaplane on any bike tyre, so the tread issue is not an issue.Tail end Charlie
The above post may contain traces of sarcasm or/and bullsh*t.0 -
SimonSteer wrote:Never had a puncture on my Mondos
Ditto Mondo Pro. I rear was worn to carcass. (hope the Pro 3's I've just ordered are as good).
I hsve ridden my Allez Elite with Mondo Pro tyres in all weathers (including really icy) and never had a problem. Never used any other tyre, but I would be happy to recommend them.Stumpjumper FSR 09/10 Pro Carbon, Genesis Vapour CX20 ('17)Carbon, Rose Xeon CW3000 '14, Raleigh R50
http://www.visiontrack.com0