[Les Crook]

Hi, there and welcome.
The need for tread on bicycle tyres is a debate that has raged on for years. The round profile of a bicycle tyre sheds water by centrifugal force hence the neat rooster tail you get in rain. People fear aquaplaning with slicks. I read somewhere that the aquaplane speed of a bike is something stupid like 200mph. So for me its slicks on all my road bikes including my folder. Never skidded unintentionally. On purpose? oh yes.

[Jack Finucan]

Mr. Crook, you’re absolutely correct. Aquaplaning does not occur on bicycles so the tread is unnecessary on smooth roads.

[Josephine Bennington]

The very high pressure of our slick tyres, 100psi at least, plus the all-up weight of bike + you +luggage, means that the tiny foot print, more like a finger print, simply squeezes away any water that your wheels will roll onto and over. There will be a dry line behind you, it is so effective at displacing water. So no tread, and no aquaplaning.

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