[MrFlippant]

This might get a wider audience in the 132 slot cars forum, but tire choice usually depends on the track type, whether you're using magnets or not, and if there are any rules for any possible competitive racing.

Usually, softer rubber tires get better grip, but you can also go with silicone tires if the track is plastic and kept clean.

Around here, the tires of choice tend to be P6 or F22, which work well on a variety of tracks.

 

[MrFlippant]

F15 are pretty popular with the analog guys here as well. Lately it seems we've been using more urethane tires, though.

 

[MrFlippant]

How do you "prep" a silicone tire other than by cleaning it? They don't absorb anything.

 

[MrFlippant]

Ah, I get it now. That's a good point. If silicones didn't rely on such a clean surface and to also be cleaned regularly themselves, then I'd probably have more of them.
That's one of the things I like about urethane tires. The surface doesn't need to be spotless, and they don't go off as quickly. Once the track has had your typical dusting, you can run urethanes all day long without needing repeated cleaning. Urethanes also do not respond to treatment, at least none that I've tried, and no one has told me about one that works.

But most of all, what I like best about urethane is how easy they are to true. Like buttah!

You can turn a wobbly wheel into a true one with urethanes to even things out. Not so with silicone.