Winter Tyre Recommendations?
Discussion
Anyone using studded tyres for the winter communte? Where I'm living now my colleagues use these: http://www.xxl.no/sykkel/deler-vedlikehold/sykkeld...
But wondered if anyone here had better advice....
But wondered if anyone here had better advice....
I've been thinking about it and have set myself the goal of making the 30 mile round commute through winter without resorting to the Jeep once.
Trouble is though, although oop north here we do get a fair bit of snow, a lot of the trip will be cleared or only very lightly covered road/tarmac and I reckon that after a few days those relatively clear roads will have pulled all the studs out and wrecked the tyres. It's never going to be snow/ice all the way from home to work, day after day for any length of time.
Trouble is though, although oop north here we do get a fair bit of snow, a lot of the trip will be cleared or only very lightly covered road/tarmac and I reckon that after a few days those relatively clear roads will have pulled all the studs out and wrecked the tyres. It's never going to be snow/ice all the way from home to work, day after day for any length of time.
Any good? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-snow-stud-perform...
Deflate to get the studs on the road, pump right up for rubber-only...
Deflate to get the studs on the road, pump right up for rubber-only...
I commuted all last winter with these http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1217-schwalbe-tires-m... I can't recommend them enough. People think your mad but the grip is very confidence inspiring and you really have to remember when you put your foot down that it is slippy!
I have a spare set of wheels with these on and just swap them over when the cold starts. You can keep them on all winter as the studs 'sink' into the tyre when your on clear tarmac and the only difference is a 'buzz' noise. I rode all last winter on clear roads, ice, snow, sleet etc etc no problems at all. In fact when I was off over Xmas time I still went out as the roads where empty and it was very relaxing going for rides out in the empty snow covered country side I loved it and I have to be honest I'm looking forward to it again this year.
I have a spare set of wheels with these on and just swap them over when the cold starts. You can keep them on all winter as the studs 'sink' into the tyre when your on clear tarmac and the only difference is a 'buzz' noise. I rode all last winter on clear roads, ice, snow, sleet etc etc no problems at all. In fact when I was off over Xmas time I still went out as the roads where empty and it was very relaxing going for rides out in the empty snow covered country side I loved it and I have to be honest I'm looking forward to it again this year.
mmmm. Those Schwalbe look excellent.
I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
madbadger said:
mmmm. Those Schwalbe look excellent.
I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
Not very studded are they?I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
madbadger said:
Er - no.
I realise that, but thought it might be of interest as they are a winter option.
Apologies for adding topic to a winter tyres thread.
For what it's worth, I have Gatorskins on my roadbike, and they are totally immune to punctures. Very good everyday tyres, but no good in snow or ice! I realise that, but thought it might be of interest as they are a winter option.
Apologies for adding topic to a winter tyres thread.
madbadger said:
mmmm. Those Schwalbe look excellent.
I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
These are fine on wet roads but as I found out this weekend, useless on wet leaves and if you stray onto the wet/muddy grass, dangerous. Yes I agree that I've taken them far beyond anything they were designed for but at this time of year, unless you cycle exclusively in a city, you are going to get more than just wet roads.I've just fitted the Yeti with these:
as a winter option. The tread looks rubbish for grip but they do claim to be a winter compound. They are certainly very fast on the road at the moment - almost the same as the road bike.
Not used them in winter yet. If I don't die I'll report back.
I left skin behind.
And of course they will be hopeless as soon as you get temps as low as zero.
Watchman said:
These are fine on wet roads but as I found out this weekend, useless on wet leaves and if you stray onto the wet/muddy grass, dangerous. Yes I agree that I've taken them far beyond anything they were designed for but at this time of year, unless you cycle exclusively in a city, you are going to get more than just wet roads.
I left skin behind.
And of course they will be hopeless as soon as you get temps as low as zero.
Funny you should say that, but I fell off yesterday. On a country road, unfortunately with 25 miles left of my commute.I left skin behind.
And of course they will be hopeless as soon as you get temps as low as zero.
Wasn't even that cold yet.
madbadger said:
Funny you should say that, but I fell off yesterday. On a country road, unfortunately with 25 miles left of my commute.
Wasn't even that cold yet.
To be fair, my spuddy-tyred MTB-riding cycling buddy fell off on wet leaves too (on tarmac). It's just bloody slippery all round at the moment. The problem is inconsistent friction making choosing a suitable tyre impossible really.Wasn't even that cold yet.
I use Schwalbe Snow Studs and they are a great tyre. Good performance in the snow and enough studs to catch you if you slip on the ice.
They are not a full ice tyre though, if there is sheet ice they slip about alot, but still catch you so you stay upright at least but no traction.
If you have full on ice, then nothing but a full spike will work. If conditions are mixed, then the Snow Stud (or marathon for pure road riding) is perfect.
They are not a full ice tyre though, if there is sheet ice they slip about alot, but still catch you so you stay upright at least but no traction.
If you have full on ice, then nothing but a full spike will work. If conditions are mixed, then the Snow Stud (or marathon for pure road riding) is perfect.
king awesome 
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