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Modern, asymmetric tread design for the best speed and grip in the riding direction
Moderator: robbosmans
Modern, asymmetric tread design for the best speed and grip in the riding direction
11.4 wrote:It's a bifunctional tire. A smooth tread is more popular (not necessarily better) on a wood track, while a textured thread is more popular (not necessarily better) on concrete. This tire is designed so you can choose which tread is used. The tread difference is only of value on the banking. On the straights, you'll be on the center smooth area and that's typically the most effective. They used to make two different tires, one with smooth tread and one with texture. For those who go OCD on such things, you pick just one tire and mount it accordingly. The greatest effect is often on the front wheel, so if you travel to different tracks you can just turn your front wheel around to pick the optimal tread if you want to be so detailed.
whosatthewheel wrote:pista means track, so assuming you loop anticlockwise on a track, stick whichever side you want to grip on the inner part of the track... I'd say keep the pattern on the left side.
On the road it makes no difference
PJCM wrote:Manchester velodrome has tire recommendations obviously based on what sticks and what doesn't:
http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/tr ... ification/
It sounds like tread compound is more crucial than tread pattern, for wood anyway.
11.4 wrote:
And the part that needs to stick is on the outside, not the inside. Pick your tread and put that on the RIGHT.
youngs_modulus wrote:Some of that comes from the bad old days of colored tires that completely lacked carbon black. Carbon black helped grip in dry weather but was absolutely critical for grip in the wet. Since tires have moved to silica instead of carbon black, it's possible to have colored tires that actually grip. Still, when in doubt, run black tires.
11.4 makes some good points about both good practice and voodoo. Some of the good practice he mentions as to do with the mold-release compound that comes embedded in new tires. Grip is low-ish until the mold-release is gone, and scuffing the surface and wiping with vinegar or alcohol is wise. Some of it may be unnecessary, but I have a higher tolerance for voodoo here: it's not just your safety you're trying to ensure; it's that of the riders around you.