If you think about it, if you rode natural on dry, clean surfaces that had sharp edges, you wouldn't need any tread. You would probably get similar grip from the slick compared to a minion/try-all The tire will form around whatever edge it is gripping to, so sometimes nobles are not essential. Just more versitle. Wouldn't work in mud, gravel, grass or wet. My last boss talked about it lots when i was looking in to a new tire. Rob