Rainy season is coming to my area. Currently I have Gatorskins and use rollers on wet days. I am wondering if any tire offers significantly better performance on wet slick roads.

I don't like to ride in the rain but I'll do it. I ride on GP4000s and will under-inflate them by about 10lb.

Don't have any scientific proof this is better but it works for me.

Plus I avoid if possible manhole covers, railroad tracks and road striping.

If you want to stick with Conti try the 4 Season, it's what it is made for. I go up a size and drop the PSI a bit, too, but you'll have to see if your bike has clearance for that.

Anything without tread.

Unless your going to go 120mph hydroplaning shouldn't be an issue

https://www.michelinbicycletire.com/m...oothtread.view

I just buy the cheapest tires in REI, at $19 they seem ok.
Ride a lot in the rain/winter slop by the way.

[h=2]https://www.rei.com/product/786320/vi...-tire-700-x-25[/h]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9-Kv...hannel&list=UL

If you're using 23mm tires, try 25 or 28mm wide tires with lower air pressure

Michelin Pro4 Service Course Tire's are the best tires I have ever used in the rain. They are the stickiest tires in the rain available. I have used them since they came out and I just bought a new pair. I use them here in Florida because the rain season can catch you by surprise and before you know it its pouring buckets. With these tires you will feel so confident rain doesn't even bother me now and that's with 120psi.

That is amazing, interesting that a tire manufacturer would address that when they can profit from making tires to "comfort the consumer".

I'm currently using panaracer pasela for the winter/rainy months here in Oregon (versus veloflex master during the drier months). So far the pasela been the best for me (using the 23mm versus the 28mm alternate) at 105psi with a very, very good tread life de boot. Used most of the continental lineup over the years, but am starting to appreciate the more aggressive wet-tread of the touring variety of late.

this. I remember a story in a now-defunct magazine, maybe Bicycle Guide, where they spun tires on a treadmill and measured the traction in the wet and dry. Tread made no difference. The tires are skinny enough to cut through standing water, and treads don't dig in on pavement. Rubber compound did matter, but I don't know where you'd get information on that. Most companies don't disseminate it.

Makes sense about the compound being the deciding factor on plain wet surface. For me though, the extra tread/thickness + tour guard protection of the Pasela (or like-kind tires) are safer in the rain, as I'm unable to see glass or other little-dangers on wet pavement that would otherwise play havoc on my higher performance open tubulars. The tread does give me some assurance on wet things such as leaves which is common this time of year. I would believe there is some mechanical/cutting action occurring with the tread that smooth tread (sticky or hard) would otherwise not provide?

I did 45mph descending Golden Gate Canyon on rain-slick pavement with Gatorskins w/o issue...
well except for having to cross the centerline to avoid the two elk standing in my lane.

Here in Portland a good set of tires is a must. After a string of flats in the rainy season last year, I started shopping around for a set of puncture resistant tires that held to the road in rain. What others have said about rubber compound being a factor is true. Different types of rubber perform differently on wet surfaces. I ended up going with Surfas Seca Survivors because they felt best on wet surfaces.

I have also not had a problem in the rain, and have used a whole range of tires. Popular " all wheather " tires like the Conti GP 4000S have been fine for me.