South Coast/Someone else.
This is a huge subject, but simply put you’d think after all the research into wet weather tyre grip you’d have thought that if the tread design had been really significant then one design would long ago have shown itself more effective than others. Remember: Friction is independent of area, but directly dependant on weight.
In truth the issue of tread design is more about marketing than anything else. Wet weather grip is dependant on three factors.
1. The amount of weight carried by the tire.
2. The amount of, and depth of, the radial slots cut into the tire.
3. The compound of the rubber.
A. Most water is dispersed in font of the tyre, in fact the tire simply pushes it out of the way. The amount of weight carried by that tire will dictate to a large degree, how much water will be moved.
B. Whatever water is left is directed through the radial slots cut in the tire. The depth of those slots combined with the weight carried (and the roughness of the road surface) dictate the speed the tire can go before aquaplaning occurs.
C. The amount of ‘grip’ obtained from the rubber in actual contact with the surface of the road is dependant on the compound. Softer compounds better grip, harder compounds less grip.
Regards,
White Bear.