TRUE OR FALSE? Slick Tyres are faster

FALSE. It may be counterintuitive, but a slick (smooth) tyre surface is not good for aerodynamics. Structure on the tyre shoulder adds turbulence to the airflow on the surface of the tyre. This is called ‘boundary layer turbulation’. The key is that to go fast, just the right amount of turbulence is required: not too much, not too little.

For a wheel to perform well at high cross-wind angles and deliver good sailing effect, it needs to have a turbulent boundary layer on the tyre. So don’t use slick tyres, especially on the front wheel!