New tarmac...

[Matthie]

When there is new tarmac down, the really black stuff that is abit shiney, what's the grip levels like on this?

I always get the impression that it is really slippy but is it alright?

[pencil shavings]

it will be less grippy than worn by good condition tarmac because of the process, takes awhile for it to get all of the oils and carp out of it.

It is fine to ride on though, but dont push hard!

[Luckypants]

Depends on the type of tarmac used and that is the extent of my knowledge. I know that SMA type tarmac can be slippery as feck, but do not know what it looks like. Hopefully someone with a civil engineering background will help us on this one.

[STRAMASHER]

Yeah, oily is the word that springs to mind.

The other surface that I feel I should mention is "SuperShellGrip" (the beige abrasive stuff at ped crossings / roundabouts /mway on ramps............ or in my unfortunate case a tight corner.

I had my only "big one" after 10years riding ,going round a corner with such a surface about 40mph or so, it had been laid down maybe 4weeks as there was no signs saying it was new (loose chippings signs), no excess loose stuff noticable at the kerb. I took a normal line round the corner and there was still a load of new chips in the centre of my side of the road that had not been flattened by the car tracks. You just can not see loose gravel on it. Colour or because it is so abrasive, both, dunno?

Cue big highside:smt026 and a trip in the big white van to hospital. :smt039

You never stop learning. :rolleyes:

Go easy.:)

[alexs]

Wikipedia to the rescue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphalt#Mastic_asphalt)

[21QUEST]

All you need to know is that, it's not as grippy :smt003

It's a bit like asking "what's the grip level like in the rain" ;)


Ben