On 24/02/2019 21:37, Simon Jester wrote:

I have never used slick tyres, which is illogical because tyre tread
is used to displace water and prevent aquaplaning. On a bicycle you
would have to be travelling about 250mph to aquaplane.
I guess it gives a thicker layer of rubber without adding weight. (I
have never done an assessment of whether there is a difference in
tendency to puncture.)

Some people have the idea that tread helps with grip and the
manufacturers use it as branding.