Strada Pro HTLR to blame for my crash?

Came off today, going round a corner at about 17-20mph. Surface was slightly damp in some areas from overnight air (no rain) and the bike just went from under me. I’ve been round this particular corner loads of times throughout winter and summer but not before on these tyres…

Anyone else use them and think they are no good in anything but bone dry conditions or was I just unlucky? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t oil or anything and I was following a friend who needless to say did not come off.

Wait are they really called the Strada Pro HTLR?

Tyres not necessarily to blame. Also have used them. No problems. Crashed before on an autumnal corner on an over-inflated Barlow pass at too quick for the conditions. Sometimes shit just happens. And yes @Northwind they are hitler tyres ?

Over inflated you say, 700×30,  I had them at 55 with a TPU tube in. I did wonder if 50 might have been a better choice but that seemed a bit low considering tyre pressure calculators were suggesting 60 plus. It wasn’t a sharp corner though and I wasn’t leant over far at all. Pretty sure both wheels let go simultaneously although can’t be sure of that as it happened so fast.

Is it a summer tyre?

“The Challenge Strada Pro HTLR is an overall strong performer in our tests but its main weakness appears to be wet grip of both the center and edge (cornering) of the tire.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/challenge-strada-pro-htlr#grip

Yeah I read that but assumed that meant wet, wet rather than moist… I’m thinking not now though and  certainly won’t be using them again unless it’s bone dry. I’m tempted to bin them but they’ve only done about 100 miles and they’re not cheap… however they are cheaper than the knackered SRAM Red AXS levers and derailleur that are now pretty worse for wear. Not to mentioned my ripped clothing and battered helmet…

Blaming kit for a crash is a bit lame unless it fails catastrophicly.

You’re skills underplayed your assumptions of your kit.

Wait are they really called the Strada Pro HTLR?

Why are road tyre names so damn serious?

I’m just surprised that in this day and age any tyre can be openly pro htlr tbh

Blaming kit for a crash is a bit lame unless it fails catastrophicly.

As is ignoring the spell checker.

I have to admit I also only clicked on this thread because I was expecting some Nazi tyre related banter.

Just wait till Schwalbe bring out their new ‘Wehrmacht‘ touring tyre, it will roll about all over Europe but just can’t make it any further East than the Volga…

Wait are they really called the Strada Pro HTLR?

What’s worse is the acronym doesn’t have even work. I think it should be HMTR – Hand Made Tubeless Ready?

Oil / diesel on road?

I had a similar problem with Schwalbe pro ones, they’re literally worse than Hitler.

Being serious for a minute, I find huge variability in wet grip across road tyres. A good test for me is how well they grip on a steep, wet climb I ride regularly, if they slip then I’m very circumspect on corners.

I’m just surprised that in this day and age any tyre can be openly pro htlr tbh

No, that’s the Strada Pro HTLR Pro you’re thinking of. If you want something for wet conditions, the Strada Pro MSSLNI is the way to go, Italian heritage and specially developed for right-leaning terrain and going round the bends.

@singlespeedstu I’d argue that the point of contact between a vehicle and the surface, the tyre, is the most important bit to get right. Tyres massively influence performance.

To the op, if you doubt the tyre, change it.

I was having issues with a WTB Vigilante on the front of my MTB. It would go from grip to face plant with no warning. Swapped to a Magic Mary and got way more predictable levels of grip.

Oil / diesel on road?

It could be anything. hair gel maybe? A  light smearing of slug carcass. Over or under-inflated Nazi tyres. In too hot or not. Rider inability to handle a two-wheel drift at speed / not speed etc. It’s a bit like a ‘what’s causing my creak’ thread. All we really know is that the OP has chosen tyres with a vaguely ridiculous name and fell of their bike.

But in honestly, if you’re not confident in your tyres in the wet in the UK, you may as well bin / sell them. I’d try messing about with pressures but if they still feel less than confidence inspiring, get rid.

Sorry to hear about the crash. I hope you are OK. Did you go back to the surface and scuff your feet over the ground? I sometimes do this just to see how immediately slidey the surface seems. This time of year can be challenging for damp slimy roads especially if you have farm vehicles or run off from fields after a wet spell.

Also sometimes it can just happen. It did for me one time but it was because I had the tyres at a high pressure and was cornering on a very slightly bumpy section of tarmac. It hurt.

And re tyres…id just go with what you trust. Gp5000 have been consistent for me. Same with the cheaper conti models too. But not gatorskins. Avoid them.

Oil / diesel on road?

Yes it’s quite possible although I couldn’t see any sheen. Despite the aspersion that it was lack of riding skill on my part I don’t think it’s that simple and I’m not sure that’s fair. I’m by no means an elite rider (they crash all the time without a catastrophic failure anyway don’t they?) but I do over 100 miles a week on average so not a novice.  I don’t think I crashed because I was going too fast, well clearly I was otherwise I wouldn’t have crashed, but I shouldn’t have crashed at the speed I was going on a road I know well.

I saw the Rollling Resistance analysis before I bought them but again I assumed wet performance meant wet wet, you know with actual spray everywhere, but perhaps that was naive.

I have read that wet grip on handmade tyres can be questionable due to oils in the rubber (I know some pro riders wipe the tyre with vinegar in the wet) and I was in two minds before I set out, but everywhere was mostly dry, hence my question (and it’s a question on purpose singlestu rather than a thread title that’s says “these tyres are dangerous”, as I wanted to know if others had the same thoughts/experience).

I have also read the odd user review that says they let go suddenly without warning in the wet, but you know, reviews..

Are these types of tyres not meant to be ridden in the wet at all? Lack of skill in tyre choice may well be a factor when it comes down to it but it’s a painful and very harsh way to find out….

Or, although less likely in my amateur opinion, the tyre pressure was wrong. But like I said earlier they were at 55 and I didn’t think that was too high – maybe someone will be along to say it was ..

I kind of hope it was oil/diesel and had I been on my GP5000s and fallen off I would have 100% confidence in saying it must have been something on the road surface as I’ve been round this corner in the wet on those tyres at a similar speed without any problems whatsoever.

Sorry to hear about the crash. I hope you are OK

Quite sore this morning and my hip looks like a rugby ball but OK thanks for asking 🙂

While the HTLR performs well in summer when the wet/snow season arrives the STLN version beats it.

And I must admit to increased respect for the Bicycle Rolling Resistance website such that I will actively avoid anything they give poor wet grip rating  to. I ride in Glasgow after all.

I’d argue that the point of contact between a vehicle and the surface, the tyre, is the most important bit to get right. Tyres massively influence performance.

No shit Sherlock. 😉

OP maybe check out how things handle after making changes ?

As you just found out relying on what you’ve read about a product is not always the best way to go.

I crash all the time. It’s very very rarely the fault of anything on my bike.

It’s quite often my lack off skill to get away with  it.

As you just found out relying on what you’ve read about a product is not always the best way to go

Eh? I’ve said I sort of ignored what I read not relied on it…

Aaanyway,  +1 taking more notice of BRR tests .

The main reason I bought these tyres was to see how comfortable they were and if they did anything to alleviate my carpal tunnel. I’ve lost confidence in them totally now so will get rid and either stick with the GP5000s as fitted to my other wheels, or perhaps try some Vittoria…

EDIT

While the HTLR performs well in summer when the wet/snow season arrives the STLN version beats it.

Oh, see what you did there! Very good . :laugh: emoji ?

“I crash all the time. It’s very very rarely the fault of anything on my bike.

It’s quite often my lack off skill to get away with it.”

This may be true, on the other hand the OP’s friend went round the same corner at the same speed, presumably on a similar line. Maybe it was caused by inferior tyres in this case?

Heal fast. Just bought some 33c Challenge Almanzos for gravel, which I think are the same tyre. Not ridden them yet! Now thinking of widest 33c GP5000s which in narrower versions, are on all my other bikes and are excellent tyres.

Perhaps it was over inflation and the file tread offering less contact than a slick? Or compound, or surface? But 55psi is bang in the middle of the inflation range marked. And when a bike really goes, you can’t save it. Your on the ground before you know it. It’s not a skills issue. I’ve been down on diesel on a dry clear day with no warning and no obvious sheen on the road.

Just wait till Schwalbe bring out their new ‘Wehrmacht‘ touring tyre, it will roll about all over Europe but just can’t make it any further East than the Volga…

I tried the prototype, they didn’t work very well on my geared bike but were great on my SS.

Well I bought some gatorskins against the advice I received on another thread on here due to their slideyness. Not used them yet but I’m fairly nervous to be honest.

Continental. Germans again. Makes you think doesn’t it.

GP 5000 AS now incoming for winter duties!

This may be true, on the other hand the OP’s friend went round the same corner at the same speed, presumably on a similar line. Maybe it was caused by inferior tyres in this case?

Shit if only I use the same tyres as the local pros I’ll be able to get round the same corners at the same speed they can.

Never thought of that before. 😉

What I thought was just not being as good as folks that are better than me is all down to my tyre selection.

Do these contain graphene?

Do these contain graphene?

The Stradas? No I don’t think so.

“Shit if only I use the same tyres as the local pros I’ll be able to get round the same corners at the same speed they can.

Never thought of that before. ”

Sorry. Missed the bit where the OP said his friend was a pro. My mistake. However if two riders of similar ability go round the same corner at the same speed, One crashes, one doesn’t. Reviews say his tyres have poor wet grip. Maybe poor tyres were the problem.

My friend is not a pro and we were just out for a social ride, I wasn’t racing her or trying to go as fast as possible. With all due respect singlestu you weren’t there so you are not really in a position to say what happened for sure. Hell, I was there and I don’t even know hence starting the thread! It’s a bit belligerent to insist you are right when you have zero evidence to support any definitive “ruling” by your good self. Weekend start a bit early did it 😉

My weekends last all week, every week. 😉

Though it’s all about riding for me not boozing.

Unless tyres are widely regarded as rubbish, I tend to think sometimes, shit just does happens. I run Paselas on my tandem and have for maybe 70k miles (not the same ones…). One time, we fell off at a junction that we’d ridden dozens of times before. The front just washed out at junction turning speed. The road looked dry but it was Autumn. Being a junction, the asphalt was a bit polished by all the Carlos Fandango wheelspin boys but we didn’t do anything different and ended up on our arses.

This time of year, colder roads, often damp (the clocks just went back dontchaknow) and leaf mould everywhere means mucho hazards. Regardless of the reviews, I tend to dial it back a bit on the handling until it starts to warm up again. Moreso if it’s wet, icy or snowy obvs.

My conclusions are leaning towards poor tyre choice for the conditions, and a lesson learned that high performance tyres may not be at all suitable in some circumstances. Corsa Speed for example are the fastest tyre according to BRR but at the price of durability and ability to hold air for any significant length of time. The Stradas are comfortable but at the expense of wet grip etc etc.

In terms of UK general riding conditions I am of the opinion that Continental GP tyres are the ultimate choice for a Goldilocks tyre. Fast (ish), grippy (ish), puncture resistant (ish)…. you get the picture..!

The very helpful council roadworks chap who stopped to help said he had the whole thing on video, I didn’t get his details at the time as wasn’t really concentrating on such things but my friend thinks she may be able to track him down so I may well have dramatic footage….

Wait are they really called the Strada Pro HTLR?

got them on my SS

arguebly it was the 1930s crash that was responsible for HTLR

Specialized Roubaix Pro have a lovely grippy feel without also feeling slow if you’re still looking as well as good rep from BRR for puncture resistance.  Good price if you look  around. I switched to them from some Strada LGG tyres which, although v supple, were way too delicate for anything other than smooth dry tarmac.

Just tested my new challenge on the kitchen stone floor. Slippy. Then rubbed both front and back down with white vinegar. Better. Try the same. And look at lean angle vs. force. Were they brand new? We always rub down new tubulars before riding on the track to remove mould release agent

I see some GP5000s in 33c to complement my wide collection coming soon (23, 25, 30 already on various wheels and bikes).

I’m pretty sure the vinegar trick does help – I’m assuming it needs to be done before every/any wet ride.

Mine are new (ish). Been installed on the summer wheels all summer ready for use but the summer never turned up so they’ve only done about 100 dry miles.

Its disappointing that my confidence in them is somewhat dented as they are fabulous to ride on.

Im gonna do the kitchen floor vinegar test just now if we have any white vinegar….