The thing about studded tyres is that when you find out you need them, it's too late. The ice has got you. Black ice is almost invisible. So mine are on even though I don't need them, just in case I do. The nice thing about e-bikes is the motor does most of the extra work.
Cycle Commute below zero?
- Thread starter Andy Bluenoes
- Start date
Sure, studded tyres make a noise, but having that layer of security whatever the temperature is very reassuring. I had two pairs of wheels for the MTB I used the tyres on, so it was easy to swap. That isn't possible with the Oxygen, so I'll fit them in the New Year and stick with them until the cold mornings have gone. As the previous poster says, finding out you need them the hard way is a painful way of learning. Kind of wishing you'd worn a seatbelt after a head-on crash.
I see what you are saying...
I almost went flying this morning, not because of ice, but wet soggy leaves, although not sure if spikes would have helped in that situation
I almost went flying this morning, not because of ice, but wet soggy leaves, although not sure if spikes would have helped in that situation
Spikes and studs are different.
Spikes are more extreme and usually come on tyres with a chunky tread.
The are really only suitable for use on snow, thick ice, slush and mud.
Studs are less extreme and can be ridden on ordinary surfaces, as well as offering excellent grip on black ice.
That makes them the most suitable choice for most commuters.
The studs do offer a bit of extra grip on wet leaves and some, but not much, extra grip on snow.
Studs are supposed to help with leaves as well. I think they'd go through one leaf and find the tarmac underneath, but if the leaf is sliding on another leaf...
What I have noticed is that they pick up leaves and wedge them in the mudguards. Even more funny noises.
What I have noticed is that they pick up leaves and wedge them in the mudguards. Even more funny noises.
My winter tyres are called Ice Spiker Pros. Thet don't actually have spikes, but instead of having studs on the outside of the tyre, each tyre has 370 spikes all over the tread. The lesser-studded ones do help on soggy leaves. Without mudguards they often fling them high up behind you!
Decided I am going to get some winter tyres after all.
Problem I am having is no one seems to have any in stock.
I have found these, which do get good reviews, but they are only 1.75 inch where my normal tyres are 1.95...is this likely to cause any issues?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-winter-spike-road-tyre-k-guard/rp-prod118113
Problem I am having is no one seems to have any in stock.
I have found these, which do get good reviews, but they are only 1.75 inch where my normal tyres are 1.95...is this likely to cause any issues?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-winter-spike-road-tyre-k-guard/rp-prod118113
Or we have these but they are 2.1inch
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/bike-tyres/schwalbe-ice-spiker-tyre-black-skin-26x2-10
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/bike-tyres/schwalbe-ice-spiker-tyre-black-skin-26x2-10
Maybe from here
http://www.highlandbikes.com/m44b165s316p2279/SCHWALBE-Ice-Spiker-2-1/RS_GB/7709?gclid=COOBz4PYoNACFeEp0wodl2sD5g
I've used a pair of these for a couple of winters on my non electric bike and been happy with them, I'm just about to fit them again.
Dave
The smaller ones will fit, the larger ones probably will but you might have clearance problems. My Snow Studs are 622 X 40mm and look slightly smaller than the 622 X 37mm Marathons that came off. I think the stated size must include the studs.
Been thinking about this and I'm not sure the advice to use roads rather than cycle paths etc is good. The biggest danger ice presents to the cyclist is being struck by an out of control motor vehicle and the greatest risk of serious injury if you do come off is being struck by a motor vehicle. You have the opportunity to moderate your own speed, fit studs etc, but there's no way to control what drivers are doing.
So I'd tend to stick to off road paths in icy conditions, given the choice (I don't get a choice for most of my route). Encountering ice is more likely, but falling off (even into a canal) is more likely to be embarrassing than lethal.
Been thinking about this and I'm not sure the advice to use roads rather than cycle paths etc is good. The biggest danger ice presents to the cyclist is being struck by an out of control motor vehicle and the greatest risk of serious injury if you do come off is being struck by a motor vehicle. You have the opportunity to moderate your own speed, fit studs etc, but there's no way to control what drivers are doing.
So I'd tend to stick to off road paths in icy conditions, given the choice (I don't get a choice for most of my route). Encountering ice is more likely, but falling off (even into a canal) is more likely to be embarrassing than lethal.
Good advice, thanks.
The part of my route where I currently take the main road, I can replace with a canal path....if i feel more confident when I have the studs, I may well take that instead of the road....but it is very narrow, and sort of slopes sideways down to the canal, so not for the fainthearted I guess.
All but maybe 2 miles of my route would then be off roads.
I agree, this is spot on advice from someone who has used them. The grip is incredible on ice though it takes a little while to gain confidence.
Dave.
I think Ice Spikers might be overkill, tbh. I have them, but only 'cos the two cheaper Schwalbe winter tyres aren't available in 27.5". I ran Schwalbe Winter Marathons last winter on 700c tyres without a hint of a slip. There are these.
They have the studs a little towards the the centre. The Snow Studs have deeper tread and the studs towards the outside of the tread. I think tyre pressure is very important. That's where the Snow Studs might be better for towpaths. Pump them up during over-freezing conditions and lower the pressure when you need the studs to do their stuff.
They have the studs a little towards the the centre. The Snow Studs have deeper tread and the studs towards the outside of the tread. I think tyre pressure is very important. That's where the Snow Studs might be better for towpaths. Pump them up during over-freezing conditions and lower the pressure when you need the studs to do their stuff.
Well i grabbed what i think is a bargain.
30 quid for a pair of unused scwalbe ice spikers. Will wait till temps drop again before putting them on.
Maybe overkill but at that price it made sense
Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk
30 quid for a pair of unused scwalbe ice spikers. Will wait till temps drop again before putting them on.
Maybe overkill but at that price it made sense
Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk
Looks like you've got a good deal. Just in case you didn't get the instructions with them
it's advisable to run them in for about 30 miles or so on asphalt to ensure that spikes are well bedded in so you may be best fitting them before you really need them. You still may lose a few spikes during the course of the year.
Dave.
Cheers Dave
I read that...problem i have is I'll only get chance to run them in every other weekend...so im just going to have to keep an eye on the weather forecasts ahead and hope i can time it right
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I read that...problem i have is I'll only get chance to run them in every other weekend...so im just going to have to keep an eye on the weather forecasts ahead and hope i can time it right
Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk
as a matter of interest how is traction, wear, rolling resistance on non icy non snowy roads?Well i grabbed what i think is a bargain.
30 quid for a pair of unused scwalbe ice spikers. Will wait till temps drop again before putting them on.
Maybe overkill but at that price it made sense
Sent from my LG-H850 using Tapatalk
You do lose a few spikes, but not that many, especially if you run them in properly. The Ice Spikers have a deep tread, so won't be the fastest of tyres. The main difference is the constant noise from the spikes. Grip is fine. The big thing is to adjust tyre pressures to suit conditions. £30/pair is really cheap. My 27.5" ones cost £90!!!
I was really lucky....couldnt find many about from shops even....then I googled them and these came up on gumtree less than 5 miles away from me.
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