Ice Riding and Studs

So....I know Shefly is one of the hearty souls riding out there on the frozen tundra and I would appreciate any others who might be able to provide some input as to the following:

I have regular studded tires, which are fine generally, but did nothing but slide out when I got onto the real ice. I need something that will really grip - a friend of mine says that they aren't really making extreme studded tires anymore and that the only way to get good ones for ice riding is to make your own. However, I have heard some decent things about Nokian - Do they REALLY grip riding trails which have ice coverage? I find myself sliding out on any uphills, downhills, off cambre, etc. etc....I need something substantial for winter trail riding in our area.....

Suggestions, anyone? Or should I start making my own?

Thus far I have been a wuss regarding cycling during the winter here. But I do have a coworker who rides his bike to work every single day-which is quite a feat, in Minnesota. He has made his own studded tires, but has been happier with the Nashbar ones he has bought. I think there's only one studded tire in the catalog there, so they shouldn't be hard to find.

Neil Gunton posted a review of Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 Studded Winter Tires on crazyguyonabike.com. He's using them for commuting, which admittedly is different from your planned use, but just in case you're interested in his review you can find it at:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/revie...ssage_id=41509

Hey Telegirl - what are you currently using for studded tires? I am using Nokian Extremes (2.1 tire with 296 studs - $70/tire), and ride trails, frozen bridges, and ponds with no problem. The most extreme, however, are called Freddy's Revenge - a 2.3 tire with 336 carbid-tipped studs. These will, however, set you back $100 each :rolleyes: .

The best for overall riding (as Denise mentioned) are the Hakka (2.1 tire with 300 studs) - these will run you $90/tire. These are close to the weight of a normal tire. The downside, however, is that the casing is not as heavy.

I have had my Extremes for 6 years, and haven't had an issue riding anything with them...

bikeman.com is a great place and has most of these in stock (they're in Maine).

SheFly

Hubby is using the Nokian Extremes (294), and I have the Nokian 160s. They work great on the flats, on the dirt roads, etc., but they just don't have the grip on the trails- Hubby tried to ride again yesterday and just slid all over the place. And I just haven't seen any tires that have the longer studs, unless they are homemade. Maybe I just need to make my own tires... which could add a level of entertainment to my miserable, lack of snow winter.:rolleyes:

How icy are those trails? I can't believe that the Nokian Extreme's won't handle it... I've never had a problem with mine. If you and hubby are having trouble with those, I'm not sure that homemade or any other tire will help.

OTOH, making your own studded tires could be an accomplishment ;) . DH, however, says he wouldn't do it if you paid him... :D .

SheFly (crossing her fingers that a big snow storm is on its way!)

They are fairly technical trails, ones that seem to get significant run-off. And considering how much rain/sleet/non-snow we have had up here, they are barely walkable. But two friends of ours (one has homemade studded tires and the other has, I think, the 'old' Freddy's that have studs that stick out significantly- the Freddy's lights are the new ones whose studs are recessed much like the Extremes) are able to ride them. The Extremes just don't hold good enough.

I was looking over some 'how to make your own' instructions and talking to our 'bike guy' and he just kind of sighed.....he knows me too well to try to talk me out of things.

On the snow side, we have decided to go out west and see if they have any better snow. Leaving Saturday for a week.....maybe there will be an inch or two more when we get back!!! Or even a Nor'Easter!!!