Best tyres in wet ?
Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 6:52 am
Yesterday in atrocious weather I did my first ride in the wet on my ENSIGN UNIVERSAL TRIALS TYRES. Apologies to our hosts for my forthcoming rant, and maybe I was expecting too much but read on......
A couple of years ago I turned my stock 500 ElectraX into trials spec followed by our hosts stage 1 performance upgrade. I have enjoyed the freedom the knobbly tyres have given me and spent many happy hours on green lanes and mud tracks.
Yesterday was however the first time I have ridden in heavy rain on busy main roads and I have never been so frightened in my life. I have always been aware that the trials type tyres limited handling even on dry roads and indeed given the upgrade in performance I have never been able to advise on a new top speed as the bike tyres induce a speed wobble at 75 mph whilst the bike is still accelerating, however it was not until yesterday I realised just what a death trap I was riding.
Cornering in the rain was a joke. I must have looked to the cars following me like speedway rider in slow motion. Corners were taken at 30mph and it still felt too fast. Wet white lines were like ice, tarmac little better.
I spent the day sliding around the roads with all the grip of an ice skater. Horrible. My friends on Avon Road riders or one chap on a 1933 350 side valve Enfield left me at every bend. I then had to catch up at breakneck speeds on the straights. Hair,ey.
So I write for two reasons, firstly don't buy ENSIGN UNIVERSAL TRIALS TYRES and ride on tarmac in the rain, they are widow makers in the wet. Yes they look good, yes they are fine on green lanes but the moment it rains get off and walk home.
So,rant over to the point- what 19 x3.5 tyre should I buy????
I see Michelin do a Sirac Street 3.50-19 63P Tube-Type Bike Tyre, anyone actually tried them?, I'm keen if possible to retain the rugged look but not at the expense of safety. I need something that's brilliant in the wet as having bought other bikes I now want to use this as my wet weather hack.
Your thoughts are most welcome.
A couple of years ago I turned my stock 500 ElectraX into trials spec followed by our hosts stage 1 performance upgrade. I have enjoyed the freedom the knobbly tyres have given me and spent many happy hours on green lanes and mud tracks.
Yesterday was however the first time I have ridden in heavy rain on busy main roads and I have never been so frightened in my life. I have always been aware that the trials type tyres limited handling even on dry roads and indeed given the upgrade in performance I have never been able to advise on a new top speed as the bike tyres induce a speed wobble at 75 mph whilst the bike is still accelerating, however it was not until yesterday I realised just what a death trap I was riding.
Cornering in the rain was a joke. I must have looked to the cars following me like speedway rider in slow motion. Corners were taken at 30mph and it still felt too fast. Wet white lines were like ice, tarmac little better.
I spent the day sliding around the roads with all the grip of an ice skater. Horrible. My friends on Avon Road riders or one chap on a 1933 350 side valve Enfield left me at every bend. I then had to catch up at breakneck speeds on the straights. Hair,ey.
So I write for two reasons, firstly don't buy ENSIGN UNIVERSAL TRIALS TYRES and ride on tarmac in the rain, they are widow makers in the wet. Yes they look good, yes they are fine on green lanes but the moment it rains get off and walk home.
So,rant over to the point- what 19 x3.5 tyre should I buy????
I see Michelin do a Sirac Street 3.50-19 63P Tube-Type Bike Tyre, anyone actually tried them?, I'm keen if possible to retain the rugged look but not at the expense of safety. I need something that's brilliant in the wet as having bought other bikes I now want to use this as my wet weather hack.
Your thoughts are most welcome.
