Have you skidded on 'tramline tile' surfaces ?

[Dadam]

Just counter steer like you do in a car when it starts skidding. Not a problem.

Right, gotcha. Completely impossible to have an accident riding one then.

What absolute bollox

 

[silica]

Maybe different ones have different materials? The ones round here aren't slippy when wet, but I guess I don't ride on paths that use them much so I probably haven't noticed.

not particularly wet, nor particlarly tight bend... next chance I get I'll take a better photo of what I mean. Surfaces are definitely slippy in pouring rain.

 

[silica]

Me too!

 

[Ajax Bay]

▪︎ smooth tyres have less grip in wet conditions

Tyres have less grip in wet conditions. I suggest to you that "smooth" tyres have as much or more grip than tyres with tread or knobbles in simply wet conditions on paved surfaces. Otherwise, why do you think tyres used for road racing aren't designed with tread?
Feel free to explain why "smooth/bald tyres" represent a higher (increased) risk (which is what you suggested).

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Tyres have less grip in wet conditions. I suggest to you that "smooth" tyres have as much or more grip than tyres with tread or knobbles in simply wet conditions on paved surfaces. Otherwise, why do you think tyres used for road racing aren't designed with tread?
Feel free to explain why "smooth/bald tyres" represent a higher (increased) risk (which is what you suggested).

Maybe because of the difference in pressure?
Whatever it is, those "tramlines" are dangerous for cyclists.
Actually, I don't like much walking on them either; rain, leaves and debris do make them slippy on foot also.
As I said up thread, I haven't slipped on them because I avoid them in wet conditions.
On the by, not even the studded tyres grip on them when it's icy: I guess it's because of the ridges.
If you're a roadie you are not likely to encounter tramlines, here they are only on shared paths.
@silica I must take a picture: we have "studded pattern" ones, same materials as the ones you posted, but raised "dimples" instead of ridges.

 

[mjr]

View attachment 734074

View attachment 734075 not particularly wet, nor particlarly tight bend... next chance I get I'll take a better photo of what I mean. Surfaces are definitely slippy in pouring rain.

The top pic there shows too much of the wrong tiles (the ones used have round-top ridges, which signifies something else; a flat top should be used) and installed incorrectly (they should be 1.2m away from a curve, not adjacent to one, and the tile over the centre line should be transverse). Time for remedial training for someone!

 

[mjr]

Tyres have less grip in wet conditions. I suggest to you that "smooth" tyres have as much or more grip than tyres with tread or knobbles in simply wet conditions on paved surfaces. Otherwise, why do you think tyres used for road racing aren't designed with tread?

Smooth tyres are used for most racing because they have lower friction/grip due to not deforming around the tread pattern, so more of the power is propelling the bike.

 

[classic33]

Smooth tyres are used for most racing because they have lower friction/grip due to not deforming around the tread pattern, so more of the power is propelling the bike.

How can smooth tyres have a tread pattern?

 

[mjr]

How can smooth tyres have a tread pattern?

They don't. That's why they don't deform around it!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Smooth tyres are used for most racing because they have lower friction/grip due to not deforming around the tread pattern, so more of the power is propelling the bike.

Why do you think it's a good idea when trying to ride fast to have lower friction/grip? I'd have thought higher friction/grip was attractive, indeed allowed faster riding all round.
Smooth (as compared with tyres with tread) tyres afford greater grip on hard surfaces, whether dry or wet.
https://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/slicks.html
http://www.bretonbikes.com/homepage...he-importance-of-tread-pattern-on-cycle-tyres
I found what an expert from a midge-plagued loch side had to say (8 years ago, edited):
"Here's a rule of thumb for you wrt bicycle, motorcycle and aeroplane tyres:

• If the road surface is harder than the tyre, then tread offers at best no benefit
• If the ridden surface is softer than the tyre, then traction/grip is improved with tread

"The various 'types' of hard road we encounter have no differential effect on whether you need tread or not."

 

[mjr]

Why do you think it's a good idea when trying to ride fast to have lower friction/grip? I'd have thought higher friction/grip was attractive, indeed allowed faster riding all round.

Sorry but not even the top pros get near the limits of treaded tyre grip when accelerating.

Smooth (as compared with tyres with tread) tyres afford greater grip on hard surfaces, whether dry or wet.

But these tramline tiles are usually full of shoot and sometimes completely covered in a thin film of moss or algae, so not all a hard surface.

 

[classic33]

In effect a speed cushion on the footway. One that also let's visually impaired pedestrians know of crossing points.

 

[rogerzilla]

There are two types of these. The older ones have more widely spaced ribs with flat tops and are safe. The newer ones are finer and sharper, and are just about the right width to catch a road racing tyre. Do not, under any circumstances, try to corner on one of these later ones. I generally use the "wrong" side of the path for safety.

In the pics a few posts back, the first pic shows the dangerous type that is taking over. The second pic shows the safer, older, type.

They do test this stuff on cyclists - I participated in a white line test a couple of years ago - but the guinea pigs may all have been on MTBs or 35mm tyres.

 

[mjr]

There are two types of these. The older ones have more widely spaced ribs with flat tops and are safe. The newer ones are finer and sharper, and are just about the right width to catch a road racing tyre.

That's not old and new. That's ladders /tramlines and corduroy. Ladders/tramlines are the ones recommended for splitting foot and cycle traffic (by someone who's never seen a bike hit a metal tramline), whereas corduroy should never be used anywhere near cycles. Please report any you see, referring to the DfT guidance on tactile surfaces.

 

[mjr]

In effect a speed cushion on the footway. One that also let's visually impaired pedestrians know of crossing points.

A speed cushion that's unsafe at any speed and causes crashes?