Studded winter tyres
Discussion
I sense that another cold winter is forecast, and if it is I don't want to be restricted to the crappy car-filled roads around here. I'd rather be able to ride my new bike on snow-packed icy roads.
There are a few studded winter tyres around but they tend to lurk under the surface of the internet. Can anyone recommend something decent?
There are a few studded winter tyres around but they tend to lurk under the surface of the internet. Can anyone recommend something decent?
Well, a little of a curveball here...
I made myself a lovely set by a little DIY.
One old tyre, some good quality self tapping screws (Screwfix turbogolds are excellent) with just enough length to protrude 4/5mm when poking out from a tread block.
Black and Decker at the ready. Start screwing them in. I normally leave an inch between them on the outer circumference of the tyre.
I then patched over the inside of the tyre with some insulation tape. Never had a puncture yet- and that it taking it off jumps etc. Taken them on a several rides and they wear really well. Obviously on concrete they will wear fast but that can be argued the same of a car.
For the fronts you can put additional angled side screws in the side blocks for turning, takes a little longer but is worth it.
Never had a problem with them. Though you could buy a proper one for £50 or so...
I made myself a lovely set by a little DIY.
One old tyre, some good quality self tapping screws (Screwfix turbogolds are excellent) with just enough length to protrude 4/5mm when poking out from a tread block.
Black and Decker at the ready. Start screwing them in. I normally leave an inch between them on the outer circumference of the tyre.
I then patched over the inside of the tyre with some insulation tape. Never had a puncture yet- and that it taking it off jumps etc. Taken them on a several rides and they wear really well. Obviously on concrete they will wear fast but that can be argued the same of a car.
For the fronts you can put additional angled side screws in the side blocks for turning, takes a little longer but is worth it.
Never had a problem with them. Though you could buy a proper one for £50 or so...
Well this is on a road bike and I don't have any chunky tyres for that. This website seems like a fairly good resource:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
From which these tyres look as though they may be ideal:
http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1217-schwalbe-tires-m...
I'm not thinking of ploughing through snow 6 inches deep, its for those days when its been freezing overnight, and there's a light sprinkling of snow on the ground. You know the sort, where you're not sure if its ok to walk normally? The roads I ride on tend to look like this:
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnea...
So fairly light traffic. I just don't want to wake up one day and look out the window, and realise that I can't go riding. I hate that.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
From which these tyres look as though they may be ideal:
http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1217-schwalbe-tires-m...
I'm not thinking of ploughing through snow 6 inches deep, its for those days when its been freezing overnight, and there's a light sprinkling of snow on the ground. You know the sort, where you're not sure if its ok to walk normally? The roads I ride on tend to look like this:
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnea...
So fairly light traffic. I just don't want to wake up one day and look out the window, and realise that I can't go riding. I hate that.
I use a set of Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pros. The difference in comparison to normal knobblies is night and day. Very confidence inspiring.
I have them on a spare set of wheels, and I choose which set to use dependent on the conditions.
On dry tarmac they are noisier and slower and wear quicker.
After one winter, some of the studs are already missing, where they have caught on ice and got ripped out. But that might not be such a problem, because I've noticed that the rubber carcass is marked with a snowflake, which I suspect indicates that it is a cold weather compound, analog to car winter tyres. This is the reason they grip in soft snow, not the studs.
If you need guaranteed mobility through winter, then I recommend them.
I have them on a spare set of wheels, and I choose which set to use dependent on the conditions.
On dry tarmac they are noisier and slower and wear quicker.
After one winter, some of the studs are already missing, where they have caught on ice and got ripped out. But that might not be such a problem, because I've noticed that the rubber carcass is marked with a snowflake, which I suspect indicates that it is a cold weather compound, analog to car winter tyres. This is the reason they grip in soft snow, not the studs.
If you need guaranteed mobility through winter, then I recommend them.
Also interested in this. I cycled in everyday through the snow last/this year and fortunately only came off once, but it was a rather near miss that sent me sliding past the front of a moving car.
Schwalbe Marathon Winter or Snow Studs look good, but I can't find any decent suppliers with stock.
Schwalbe Marathon Winter or Snow Studs look good, but I can't find any decent suppliers with stock.
sebdangerfield said:
Where did you buy them from? As said in the OP, most suppliers tend to be the lurky internet type I wouldn't trust. Any proper sites do them?
You'll be able to order them from anyone who carries schwalbe or nokian stuff, but they'll probably be special order as no one will carry stock.I recently attended a course run by these guys: http://www.snowbikers.com/
They used to run cycling courses in the Alpes and still stock and sell snow tyres. You could try emailing jackie or Graham and see what they have.
They used to run cycling courses in the Alpes and still stock and sell snow tyres. You could try emailing jackie or Graham and see what they have.
Got these today after ordering yesterday
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Home/Product+Detail/...
Due to weather conditions i have no opinion on the Schwallbe Ice Spikers as yet
Matt
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Home/Product+Detail/...
Due to weather conditions i have no opinion on the Schwallbe Ice Spikers as yet
Matt
Edited by Matt London on Wednesday 24th November 21:59
Edited by Matt London on Sunday 28th November 02:37
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