Unpredictable UK Weather Calls for Adaptive Road Racing Tyres
Source: Cycling News, Date: March 2024
The UK’s weather has been notoriously unpredictable this year, making it a challenge for road racers to get in the miles. But, with a high chance of rain always looming, selecting the right tyres for your bike becomes crucial. The new Metzeler Roadtec 02 seems like an ideal option, boasting a clever tread pattern that adapts to different riding conditions, providing what the German Pirelli subsidiary claims are “different DNAs under the same skin.”
To put the Metzeler Roadtec 02 to the test, we took it to the Isle of Man, a location notorious for its changeable weather. With its unique position in the Irish Sea, the island provided the perfect setting to assess the tyre’s performance in various conditions.
Metzeler Roadtec 02: Sizes, Prices, and Features
The Roadtec 02 is available in 17 and 19-inch front fitments, making it suitable for a wide range of road racing machines. The 19-inch front options range from 110 to 120mm in width, while the 17-inch front hoops come in a single 120/70/17 size. Rear tyre widths range from 150 to 190mm. Prices start at £167 for the 17-inch front and £169 for the 19-inch option, with rears ranging from £179 to £217. At the time of writing, Metzeler is offering a £30 cashback on the tyres.
What’s New with the Metzeler Roadtec 02?
Compared to its predecessor, the Roadtec 01, the Roadtec 02 features a substantially different design. The most notable innovation is the new ‘Dynatread‘ adaptive tread pattern, which combines the water-evacuating capabilities of touring tyres with the grip of super sport tyres. This dynamic pattern increases the amount of rubber contacting the road surface by six per cent when riding harder, providing a more consistent footprint even when leaning. Additionally, the new compounds front and rear, including a dual compound construction with full silica shoulders on the rear tyre, offer fast warm-up, improved grip, and increased confidence at lean.
Our Riding Impressions with the Metzeler Roadtec 02
While we only rode bikes fitted with the Roadtec 02 tyres during the launch, we were able to test them in a variety of conditions, from damp roads to heavy rain and even fog on the famous Snaeffel Mountain course. The tyres provided remarkable confidence in the wet, with the bike feeling unfussed when leaned over, and no ABS triggers or traction control light flickers. Even on more powerful machines like the Yamaha XSR 900, KTM 990 Duke, and Suzuki GSX-8S, the Roadtec 02 tyres delivered impressive performance.
Notably, the Suzuki GSX-8S, previously fitted with Dunlop Roadsmart II tyres, benefited significantly from the switch to Metzelers, eliminating the sense of vagueness we’d experienced before. As for tyre noise, we didn’t notice any significant racket, even at higher speeds, suggesting Metzeler’s noise reduction efforts have paid off.
Should You Invest in the Metzeler Roadtec 02?
The Roadtec 02 tyres excel by being unobtrusive, allowing you to focus on the ride rather than worrying about the tyres. They strike an excellent balance between wet and dry performance, making them an ideal choice for road racers seeking improved wet grip without sacrificing dry handling. When value is considered, the Metzeler Roadtec 02 tyres are a solid investment for any serious road racing enthusiast.
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