Originally Posted by
Spoonrobot
I read some of the same articles:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/slicks.html
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#hydroplaning
Now there's a counterpoint:
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2018/...r-on-the-road/
I don't particularly care about tread for my road bike tires but I have noticed a significant deterioration in wet road grip once the tread pattern wears off. For both Compass and Panaracer's GravelKing slicks. Unfortunately this happens within the first third of the tire's life, so I try to just ride within the same bounds regardless.
FWIW it is possible to simulate hydroplaning on a bicycle by riding demi- and balloon slicks on very thin mud. The bike floats on the surface layer and traction is lost at both the front and the rear. Steering has no effect and pedaling produces nothing but wheel spin. Interesting and very exciting if one is not aware of the issue.
Ah but those demi and balloon slicks are NOT narrow road bike tires. LOL
I remember reading about Pete Pensayres riding slick tires (iirc Avocet ones) up a hill riding on the fog line in the rain and NOT being able to make the tires lose traction. I had the same experience riding a road bike on a street with hard packed snow when my tires were folding 19mm Micehelin slicks. I could NOT get the rear tire to slip even when starting from a dead stop. I was amazed at how grippy those tires were even in the rain. Once on the way to work I was going around a corner and had the bicycle leaned over a fair bit when I then hit some wet leaves. It was lightly raining at the time. The entire bicycle slid sideways still upright, the wheels rolled off the leaves and the tires immediately regained the grip on the road. Again it was an amazing thing. When the bike first started sliding I was positive it was going to go down. I LOVED those Michelin slicks and would consider getting them if they were still available and in 25mm size.
Cheers