Can someone explain this?
In: Physics
for cycling, skinnier tires are not necessarily faster. the ideal fastest tire will vary in width depending on the rider and the riding surface. there are plenty of circumstances in which a wider tire run at a lower pressure will outperform a skinny high pressure tire.
the reason you still see a lot of skinny tires on high-end peloton bikes is because of – i’m guessing here – tradition, and the general *perception* of being faster. but that has already begun to change and will continue to do so.
as for cars, that’s not really my area of expertise but i do know that their engines are so powerful that a big problem becomes keeping the car on the ground and not just lifting off. you definitely don’t get anywhere fast if you’re floating in the air, so traction becomes important. the fastest cars have wide tires with very sticky smooth surfaces to maximize the area of contact with the ground so they can actually grip the tarmac and propel the car forward.
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