Too early for slick racing tyres?

KnightOfTheLongTights
KnightOfTheLongTights Posts: 1,415
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
Just bought a new bike that's come with Continental Ultra Race tyres which I've never used before: are they going to be twitchy in the wet and cut up or puncture easily?
Is it worth replacing them with something more robust for the moment, even though we're nearly in spring?

Comments

  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    No, I use "slicks" all year round
  • porker33
    porker33 Posts: 636
    It's not as simple as that....I am using Michelin Krylions as winter tyres, they appear slick...but have a surprising amount of grip, when you get down to such a small contact area as a 23mm road tyre the compound comes into the equation rather than tread.
  • rozzer32
    rozzer32 Posts: 3,923
    I've always used Vittoria. Rubino Pros in the winter, Corsa Evos in the summer.
    ***** Pro Tour Pundit Champion 2020, 2018, 2017 & 2011 *****
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    "racing" tyres almost certainly have a lot more grip than any winter tyre, the problem with them is that they are also more likely to get cut, but given that the debris on the roads doesn't actually change much between winter and summer here in the UK, it probably doesn't make a lot of difference.

    The only reason not to is if you don't care about how fast you go in winter and would rather save money and get something that wears longer.
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • yeachan153
    yeachan153 Posts: 401
    I use standard ultremo's all year round without much problems.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,496
    as above, slicks year round - on any reasonably smooth tarmac they will have more grip

    slicks with harder compound would improve puncture resistance in the wet, but at the cost of a bit less grip

    knobblies will have more grip in mud, etc.
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Tyre tread makes no difference on the road because the limiting factor is the roughness of the road surface. The contact pressure between the rubber and the road simply expels any water - you can't aquaplane a bike tyre. Durability of the tyre is completely different - race oriented tyres have little reinforcement / puncture protection to give suppleness and good handling - but it means they do puncture more easily. FWIW the only thing 'race' oriented about the Contis is the name on the side...
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • foggymike
    foggymike Posts: 862
    I'd say you have perfect winter tyres there, nothing to worry about at all. When they wear out I'd consider replacing them with something a bit lighter like the Conti GP4000s as this will make your bike feel a bit more perky and they grip a bit better too. The Ultras are a decent all round tyre though. Hope you enjoy the new bike! :)
  • KnightOfTheLongTights
    KnightOfTheLongTights Posts: 1,415
    thanks all, mind at rest - was getting a bit stressed as my track pump has broken and I didn't want to have to change the tyres before Saturday's ride. As that would have meant me bringing my brand new BMC into work and leaving it locked up (*shudder*) in order to use the bike shop's pump at lunchtime.

    Seems I have the wrong end of the stick re. grip. Mistakenly thought winter tyres (e.g., Gatorskins, Krylion, whatever) might have more grip, as they have a tread.

    Becasue the Ultras look so smooth and shiny I was wary of taking it out in the wet and spilling it on my first ever ride .... But it's all about the compound.
  • yeachan153
    yeachan153 Posts: 401
    Remember though, any ice or diesel, and winter tyre or not they will have no grip. (unless studded)
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    And Gatorskins don't really have a tread. A negligible pattern on the edge of the tyre, but not like 'car tyre' tread.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    krylions have no tred at all. theyre fasy enogh to race on pretty much. not called a winter tyre but would be ok as such.
  • rob.m
    rob.m Posts: 89
    Continental GP4000s for me as they suit year round use, as with any tyre in the winter though just ease up on the corners and you'll be fine.
    It's never too late to become what you might have been...........
  • KnightOfTheLongTights
    KnightOfTheLongTights Posts: 1,415
    Rob.M wrote:
    Continental GP4000s for me as they suit year round use, as with any tyre in the winter though just ease up on the corners and you'll be fine.

    This I did not do, and stacked it. Bike OK though ...
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    Despite the name, ultra race are in no way "racing tyres" (although of course you could use them as such). Continental describe them as training tyres.
  • okgo
    okgo Posts: 4,368
    Gp4000s have done 2300 miles since Nov and I've had two punctures. Not bad :)
    Blog on my first and now second season of proper riding/racing - www.firstseasonracing.com
  • KnightOfTheLongTights
    KnightOfTheLongTights Posts: 1,415
    cadseen wrote:
    Mainly depends on what type of roads you ride on, slicks will be ok on main roads this time of year unless there is a lot of grit put down. ab11bcec

    yeah this was a cambered country lane with a sudden stretch that was covered in a muddy sheen: put the power down at the wrong time and bang, there goes the back wheel under me, and there's my brand new carbon bike sliding down the road ...

    Got away with one tiny paint chip and soem scuffing of the rear derailleur. And trophy hip/ thigh bruise and rash.

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