New tyres slipping in wet

PaulDFC
PaulDFC Posts: 2
edited June 2010 in The workshop
Hi,

I am new to this forum so please accept my apologies if I have posted in the wrong place or if this is a stupid question.

I was getting lots of punctures on my commute to work so replaced my old tyres (Specialized Mondo 700x23) with a new set (Continental Gator Skins 700x23) and also bought a track pump so that I could get the tyres pumped up to the recommended presure.

Problem is that, in the rain, I have found that I don't have anywhere near as much grip when corning in the wet as before. If I happen to go over a metal grill or manhole cover the back wheel slips out which is quite disconcerting.

I would be really grateful for any advice. Is it the way I am riding? Should I deflate the tyres a little bit?

Thank-you,

Paul

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    How many miles have you done? The release agent to get the tyre out the mould leaves them with very low grip, probably last about 20 miles or so, then you need to 'buff' the surface (by cycling) to get the best grip, probably take about another 50 miles or so.

    Fresh tyres never give as good grip, especailly in the wet as ones that have seen some use, just watch F1 cars 'scrubbing' in the tyres for 2-3 laps they intend to use later in the race so they have the grip straight away.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Bikerbaboon
    Bikerbaboon Posts: 1,017
    PaulDFC wrote:

    Problem is that, in the rain, I have found that I don't have anywhere near as much grip when corning in the wet as before. If I happen to go over a metal grill or manhole cover the back wheel slips out which is quite disconcerting.


    Never ride over metal grills or a manhole cover as they are like ice if they get wet.
    Nothing in life can not be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas
    456
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    avoid any road decoration (detritus, lines ironworks) as they offer no grip in the wet.

    You do need to be a bit more careful in the wet, but generally once you've got the tyres up to grip (as described above well) then even in the wet you still have ample grip.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • SimonLyons
    SimonLyons Posts: 203
    I have used gator skins in the past and they were slippy in the wet.
    I use Michelin Krylion now which don't seem as bad.

    Deflating the tyres a bit will give you more grip - I do this when its icy, the trade off is less speed + more likely to puncture

    Turning + braking at any kind of speed on wet metal is always a bad idea. I fell off about 2-3 years ago doing this.

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