Tread pattern

The tread pattern is the arrangement of grooves, sipes or knobs moulded into the tyre surface. On tarmac, grooves channel water out of the contact patch to reduce the risk of aquaplaning; in mud and sand, knobs dig in and push material away.

Patterns roughly follow the use: sports tyres have few grooves and a large rubber area for maximum dry grip; touring tyres have more grooves for wet roads; adventure tyres mix blocks and grooves; motocross and enduro knobbies have tall, separated blocks; ATV tyres often have chevron or paddle-like lugs.

Check the tread depth and the wear indicators in the grooves. A worn or squared-off profile, typical after long motorway rides, makes the bike less willing to lean in.