Sipes are tiny thin cuts in a tire. They improve traction on slick surfaces. They are found on almost all-general use car tires but their disadvantage is that they increase tire wear. To see how they work see:
The idea of sipes is biologically similar to creatures, which are able to climb slick surfaces. Geckos can climb a vertical sheet of glass. http://www.lclark.edu/~autumn/dept/index.html
Are we having fun yet? Isn’t this interesting?
Given that there are a lot of urban uni types riding on very slick smooth, and wet or icy surfaces we should demand better tires. There are compensation techniques like lowering tire pressure, wider tires, looking for brands with soft rubber and so on. I think the bike/unicycle tire industry could do better with the traction knowledge they already have.
