Tyre choices for A2B Metro

[pdarnett]

I've almost got my A2B Metro restored and ready for the road, I've clean and regreased everything, tidied up the electrics, fitted mirrors and some Aldi panniers, just not sure about the stock tyres.

I've asked on ES with no reply, the stock tyres are 20 x 3" Kenda's that look a bit slick for UK wet roads. Wondering what a good hardwearing puncture proof replacement would be. They'd have to be 20 x 2.25 at least, I've been looking at BMX tyres but not many are puncture resistant. Best I've found were the Maxxis ones.

Any ideas anyone?

PS it's the US version of the Metro so I've had to restrict the power (off road button fitted) and pedal assist will be fitted as soon as the boat from china comes in.

 

[Alan Quay]

, the stock tyres are 20 x 3" Kenda's that look a bit slick for UK wet roads.

Slicks are no problem on the road, no matter how wet.

 

[pdarnett]

Just worried about hitting that wet manhole cover on a corner. It's a heavy bike to drop!

 

[drsolly]

It depends what you think might cause punctures. I'm mostly offroad, so the big worry is thorns. I use Kevlar reinforced tires, a gel liner between thte tire and the inner tube, and thick-walled inner tubes that are "puncture resistant". I don't really know which of those three factors is most importtant, but between the three of them, I just don't get punctures.

http://blog.drsolly.com/2014/03/puncture-resistance.html

 

[RobF]

Just worried about hitting that wet manhole cover on a corner. It's a heavy bike to drop!

Strange as it may seem, a slick tyre - of the same size and compound - will grip better than a treaded one.

This is because the narrowness of the tyre and slow speed of a bike make water dispersal irrelevant, and the slick tyre puts a greater surface area of rubber on the road.

 

[pdarnett]

Just with them being 3" wide, I was a bit concerned.

 

[RobF]

Just with them being 3" wide, I was a bit concerned.

From a technical booklet downloadable from the Schwalbe website:


What does the tire tread do?
On a normal, smooth road, the tread has only limited influence on the riding properties. The grip generated by the tire on the road is almost exclusively the result of the rubber compound.
Unlike a car, a bicycle will not aquaplane. The contact area is so much smaller and the contact pressure is much higher. The floating effect of aquaplaning could only theoretically be achieved on a bicycle ridden at speeds over 200 km/h.
Off road though, the tread is very important. In this situation the tread establishes an interlocking cog-like connection with the ground and enables the transmission of all driving, braking and steering forces.
On rough or dirty roads, the tread can also contribute to better control.

Why ride a slick tire?
On a normal, smooth road, even in wet conditions, a slick tire actually provides better grip than a tire with a tread, because the contact area is larger.
The situation is much different on a rough road and even worse on a dirt trail. In these cases the degree of control provided by a slick tire is extremely limited.
A slightly serrated surface on the tire tread can have a positive effect on tire grip, as it creates micro interlocking with rough asphalt.


http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/_webedit/uploaded-files/All Files/Technical Info.pdf

The booklet is worth a read if you have a few minutes to spare.

 

[D C]

The booklet is worth a read if you have a few minutes to spare.

It certainly is, thanks for sharing.
Dave.

 

[pdarnett]

Looks like I'm ok then, it'll be used exclusively for road riding on my daily commute.