Do you use winter-tires?

[Susan]

I used to use the "Schwalbe Snow Stud" in winter, but on my new bike, it won't fit. It has a narrow street-tire on it (label says: 28x1 - 700x25c).
I'd like to use something grippier for snow and ice, but I am not sure if there are winter-tyres narrow enough.

[Sky King]

Wow that is a narrow tire for winter riding. Can you put zip ties on? of course that isn't going to make for a comfort ride, more like driving a car with chains :)

[Susan]

Unfortunately not, it has a road calipher brake. On the Soma homepage they say max. tire width is 33c(28c with fenders).

[zoom-zoom]

Clearly you need to get a cyclocross bike! :D

We just bought me a set of 35x700s for my CX bike. Looks like it may not be long before I get to give them a try. (fortunately/unfortunately)

[Susan]

Clearly you need to get a cyclocross bike! :D


Clearly :D But I think DH might object to that ;)

[out_spokin']

Can you get Nokians there? They make a 700 x 32 studded tyre...

[Susan]

I could get the Nokians, but I fear even they would be too wide for the frame (with fenders). I think about getting the Conti Touring Plus or Schwalbe Marathon, they come in 25c and 28c. Not studded, but maybe a little better than mine?

[Melalvai]

I got studded tires on Sunday!!!
I am SO excited. I've been just dreading the cold, because last winter was so horrifically cold. But now that I have studded tires I can't WAIT for ice and snow.

And, now that I have studded tires, the forecast is rain and upper 30's for the next two weeks. I'm convinced this is my fault. If I hadn't gotten the new tires, we'd have snow tomorrow.

My goretex rain gear worked like that too. I ordered it during an unusually rainy fall. By the time it arrived the rain had stopped for the season. I didn't have a chance to ride in the rain again until spring. I mean, it did rain, and I did ride, but every time, it let up before I was out in it. I concluded that the goretex worked by keeping the rain off of the entire area.

So...looks like we're in for an unusually snow-less winter, all because of my magical studded tires!

[zoom-zoom]

I got studded tires on Sunday!!!
I am SO excited. I've been just dreading the cold, because last winter was so horrifically cold. But now that I have studded tires I can't WAIT for ice and snow.

And, now that I have studded tires, the forecast is rain and upper 30's for the next two weeks. I'm convinced this is my fault. If I hadn't gotten the new tires, we'd have snow tomorrow.

So...looks like we're in for an unusually snow-less winter, all because of my magical studded tires!

I got studded tires for my CX bike several weeks ago. Yep, haven't needed 'em. Haven't put my snow tires on my car, yet, either. I don't think we've ever made it into Dec. without doing that in the 5 previous Winters with this car.

I have heard our local meteorologist say that the weather models he's seen are predicting a late, but brutal Winter season here in MI. I don't know how I feel about this. I'm happy that we have had an extended Fall after not really having any Spring...but getting walloped all at once is unfun in its own way, too.

[Susan]

So, what you two are saying is that I can get any size of studded tires, even if they won't fit, because it won't snow anyway as soon as I have them? :p ;)

Which kind of tires did you buy?

[zoom-zoom]

I think mine are Innovas. I can look next time I'm out in the garage.

[Thorn]

Yes, please, everyone buy a pair of studded tires...if that's what it takes to keep the snow away, please, get those studded tires on your bike...NOW!! :)

Heck, I did my part. I didn't just buy studded tires, I bought a bike to put them on, too. And, it still sits in the garage, pretty as the day I brought it home. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. New bike or not, I don't relish the thought of doing my 25 mile commute through the snow on studded tires. So the fewer days of snow, the better

[Melalvai]

I got Schwalbe Marathon Winters

[janine]

I commuted all winter last year and we had unbelieveable snow and ice here. I can't say enough good things about Schwable Winter Marathons hs 396 tires.

They are studs and are awesome on solid ice. I could actually do better riding on these than walking on ice. lol.

I have some ordered for my new commuter bike and can't wait. We usually have hardly any snow here in the midwest but last year we had a storm at least once a week.

The hardest place to ride was on unplowed streets that cars had been on but ice and icey snow they worked great.

janine

[Melalvai]

I commuted all winter last year and we had unbelieveable snow and ice here. I can't say enough good things about Schwable Winter Marathons hs 396 tires.
That's very encouraging to hear.


The hardest place to ride was on unplowed streets that cars had been on but ice and icey snow they worked great.
Really? I had heard studded tires did really well on packed snow. I anticipate our street won't get plowed until last, and the first minor arterial street will get plowed nearly last. But after that they are major arterial streets the rest of the way, so they'll be easy.

[Biciclista]

you guys are funny.
OP, for winter commuting, get another bike, a beater bike. DH must understand it's about health and safety. We put one together for MY DH a couple years ago when he decided he wanted to ride in ANY weather. It did keep the snow away for the most part.
We bought him an old mountainbike (from the time when they just had regular bike frames) put on moustache handlebars, changed the saddle and pedals... and put on studded snowtires. much cheaper than a 4 wheel drive car!