MTB Based Slick Tyred couriers

[chriscl]

I'm currently rebuilding my 2001 Gary Fisher Supercaliber as a single-speed cruiser/pub bike, and have a pair of Kenda Kwest 1.5" semi-slick tyres to go on it.

Will be fully rigid too; it might see a bit of 'path' action but that's probably it!

 

[hamster]

If you live somewhere where the council maintain the roads to extreme smoothness and it rains alot then a total slick tyre may be a bad idea. A tyre with a minimal water displacement tread though will help.

Tread makes no difference to water displacement for a bike, you cannot aquaplane a bike tyre until about 200mph. The wider the slick tyre the slower it aquaplanes.

 

[FMJ]

There was an ad for Avocet tires when they first came out with full slick clincher tires back in the 80s. They soaked a section of road, and had pics of their test rider in full leathers and motorcycle helmet leaned over in the soaked corner. It was accompanied by this pic of Jobst Brandt. Can't find the pic or the ad, unfortunately. The copy mentinoned something to the effect of it being next to impossible to hyrdoplane a road tire.

 

[BerthaPog]

There was an ad for Avocet tires when they first came out with full slick clincher tires back in the 80s. They soaked a section of road, and had pics of their test rider in full leathers and motorcycle helmet leaned over in the soaked corner. It was accompanied by this pic of Jobst Brandt. Can't find the pic or the ad, unfortunately. The copy mentinoned something to the effect of it being next to impossible to hyrdoplane a road tire.

I remember the debates on rec.bicycles.misc (?).
Hydroplaning and slipping on a wet surface are different effects. From memory to hydroplane (the tyre to be physically lifted onto a plane of water) a bicycle tyre would need to be travelling in excess of 180mph when it hit the water, lower speed for wider tyres. The channels etc on car tyres allow the explusion of the water with the much greater width of tyre.

The general slippage case is overcoming the friction between the tyre and the surface which happens regardless of whether water (or mud etc) is present. Though water, mud etc. do reduce the co-effificent of friction, reducing grip and hence increasing braking distances. Treaded cycles tyres work offroad in mud/soft conditions because the knobs engage the surface. On a road they cannot deform the surface, so the tyre deforms around the road surface. The knobbles reduce the maximum available surface area reducing overall grip.

 

[velomaniac]

Tread makes no difference to water displacement for a bike, you cannot aquaplane a bike tyre until about 200mph. The wider the slick tyre the slower it aquaplanes.

I know bikes cant aquaplane and did not say they could, I just said they may slip on a wet or loose surface if using a slick tyre. I also honestly thought the grooves on some not totally slick tyres were to displace/channel water away, if this is not the case then fine but what function do these grooves ,in an otherwise entirely tarmac oriented tyre, have :?

 

[chiswickcollectables]

Tread makes no difference to water displacement for a bike, you cannot aquaplane a bike tyre until about 200mph. The wider the slick tyre the slower it aquaplanes.

I know bikes cant aquaplane and did not say they could, I just said they may slip on a wet or loose surface if using a slick tyre. I also honestly thought the grooves on some not totally slick tyres were to displace/channel water away, if this is not the case then fine but what function do these grooves ,in an otherwise entirely tarmac oriented tyre, have :?

Whether it makes a difference or not; since I lost control and came a Roy Cropper when I was riding slicks in the wet I always use a something with a little tread. I feel much safer in the wet with tread rather than slick even if the tread is minimal.

I've been using these Panarace Pasela 26x1.25 tyres on my work bike for ages now and I have to say IMO they are fantastic.. plus there's the added amber-wall retro bonus which turn a modern bike into something different. I found these in Halfrauds for a tenner each but they seem to have vanished off the radar now?!?

 

[velomaniac]

YIKES :shock: Seriously cool bike alert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never seen lefties like thast before, what are they called ???

 

[chiswickcollectables]

YIKES :shock: Seriously cool bike alert !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never seen lefties like thast before, what are they called ???

Thanks bro'.. its a 2009 Badboy Solo White Edition and it rides like a dream; I've clocked up almost 3,000 miles on it to and from work but I keep it like new

I've seen a few matt-black lefty BBs but never any with suspension.

 

[BobCatMax]

Currently running the Timberline on 1.95 Schwalbe City Jets... They have a little tread for water displacement and are proving great for bombing around

I've got these on my AA at the moment, nicely surprised by them too.

 

[hamster]

I also honestly thought the grooves on some not totally slick tyres were to displace/channel water away, if this is not the case then fine but what function do these grooves ,in an otherwise entirely tarmac oriented tyre, have :?

Marketing. People think that they are like car tyres.


It's like all those fancy bristles in several colours you get on toothbrushes these days. :roll:

The only things that make my road bike or 26" wheeled tourer slip in the wet are metal drain covers and painted lines. I agree that the water helps make them more slippery, it's just that tread doesn't help as there is nothing much to lock into.