Winter tyres
Winter tyres
For all the sophistication of electronic gear systems, the extra speed from lighter wheels, and the greater pedalling efficiency that typically results from well-fitted shoes and a correctly adjusted cleat position, it is the humble tyre that remains your only contact with the road. This simple fact makes the performance of the tyre among the most important of any component on the bicycle, even in perfect conditions. Winter and the poor weather conditions that make the road surface and dirty and slippery, places a still greater onus on them.
Cyclists have long swapped, 23c ‘racing’ rubber for wider 25c or 28c covers in a bid to increase contact area and so grip, and the latest thinking indicates that a wider surface area does not unduly increase rolling resistance either. Broader tyres can offer you an easy win this winter.
While grip is the primary consideration when selecting a winter tyre, durability should not be overlooked either. The compound of a winter tyre tends to be harder and less malleable than a slick, summer tyre, which relies on its pliable surface, rather than tread for grip. The result? An increased wear rate, a key consideration for the racing cyclist who typically trades speed for endurance during the off-season, and will focus on long training rides rather than short, sharp sessions intended to build speed.
Puncture resistance is the final consideration when selecting a pair of winter ‘boots’. Rain washes grit onto the road surface, increasing the likelihood of punctures, and a wet road will stick it to the surface of your tyre, making a flat still more likely. A harder compound should do something to prevent stones from reaching the inner tube, but a stiffer carcass (discernible from a lower threads per inch count), while offering a less supple ride, will also increase your armoury. Finally, a puncture protection belt, standard equipment in even the lightest racing tyres, will offer a further defence.