Tread design has several functions. One is to aid in getting water from
underneath the tire in wet conditions. Another is to reduce road noise,
by carefully making the noise to cancel itself (negative
reinforcement). Another function is to provide sharp edges to improve
grip in snowy conditions. Tire manufacturers go through a balancing
act, one against the others to get tires that have a good compromise in
features.

Tire composition also has a say in dry grip and wear life (another
balancing act.)

On Sunday, January 5, 2003, at 07:30  PM, 80 Westy Pokey wrote:

> In fact a well worn tire will give you better braking and
> handling than the same tire brand new. This only applies
> however in dry weather. If it is wet, you need those treads
> to shed water, handling on slicks in the wet is close to non
> existant.