Rainy days slicks or knobbies?

[scattered73]

What handles better on wet pavement, have used both but take it pretty easy on rainy days and really don't notice to much a difference. Thought I would get your take on it.

[wahoonc]

Doubt it really makes all that much difference, as long as you slow down a bit and take it easy. I used inverted tread tires on MTB when it was set up as a commuter. I had enough tread for light snow and some muddy areas. If I wanted to hit the technical stuff I would swap the wheels out for the ones with knobbies.

Aaron:)

[tarman]

Slicks will always handle better on pavement (on a bike, at least). I don't have the citation, but in order to hydroplane a tire with a contact patch and pressure equivalent to a bike's tire will need to be traveling at far faster than a normal biker (60-100mph?!?). Knobs grip well in loose pack like sand and mud, but just end up bending and deforming on pavement (increasing rolling resistance and being looser in a hard corner). No matter what, if you hit wet train tracks at an angle you're going down. Just my disjointed thoughts on the matter.

KJ

[tarman]

Of course! Sheldon is the one with the answer:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tread

KJ

[scattered73]

Thanks, love your signature tarman:)

[Artkansas]

I don't have the citation, but in order to hydroplane a tire with a contact patch and pressure equivalent to a bike's tire will need to be traveling at far faster than a normal biker (60-100mph?!?).

I can vouch for that. Riding on ice and snow I definitely have better traction than most cars. Plain water is a cinch.