I’ve just had a thought, re: tyre choice for the PRLS.

[GOATever]

I was shaking down a couple of new components (an enforced change caused by some muppet’s inability to maintain his separation on a Ride I was leading a couple of weeks back, but that’s a whole ‘nother thread in itself ) on the bike I’m intending to use on next weekend’s PRLS 100. Thanks to the superb condition of the roads in my locale, I ended up with two destroyed tyres ( both torn sidewalls, both within 10 miles ). The only replacement tyres I had to hand are full slicks. The weather forecast is for gash weather on Sunday next week, on the course. Should I buy some more suitable tyres, or risk the slicks?

[numtumfutunch]

The contact patch of road bike tyres is so small that in my opinion treaded tyres are pointless

The 4 seasons I use in winter have tread but I fit them for puncture resistance rather than grip - which I expect to be minimal

cheers

[GOATever]

numtumfutunch said:

The contact patch of road bike tyres is so small that in my opinion treaded tyres are pointless

The 4 seasons I use in winter have tread but I fit them for puncture resistance rather than grip - which I expect to be minimal

cheers

Whilst the tyres are in ‘wing profile’ ( upright) you’d be right. As they go to (relative ) slab profile, ( banked over ) they do ( from experience) get lively, if the road has standing water on it, without shoulder tread. I think I’ll stay with the slicks, and take it easy in any wet corners.

[Jimbo.]

Any standing water will quickly overwhelm the minimal tread a bike tyre has.

You’re overthinking it.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I had standard 25mm Conti 4000s on during the deluge of PRL 2014. Standing water a foot deep in some of the bridges under rail lines as we went back into London, if the weather is like that there's so much else going on you naturally take it easy anyway.