[Ziemas]

Does anyone have any experience with Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires in snowy, icy, or slick conditions? How did they handle? I like them in dry conditions, but wouldn't like to be caught sliding all over the place after the first snowfall.

Last winter I used Conti Top Touring tires (the ones with the recessed tread) with great success, but mine have had it and Conti no longer makes them.

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[PaulH]

They are OK in snow and ice. No reson to think that they would be not as good as the Contis. I change from my Marathon Plus to Nokian Hakkapilita in December because winter riding here is much easier with studs. However, I'me sure I could get to work every day with the Schwalbes.

Paul

[Juha]

Same combo here. I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus, but switch to winter bike with Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106s in the autumn. I have been caught on real black ice -conditions with Schwalbes once and did not like the 15 km experience. I did not wipe out, but it was close a couple of times. But then again, I'm used to having studded tyres in winter. I know some people around here ride throughout the year with non-studded tyres, and they seem to be doing OK in everything but absolutely the worst weather. Personally, I don't want to take the risk.

--J

[Ziemas]

Same combo here. I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus, but switch to winter bike with Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106s in the autumn. I have been caught on real black ice -conditions with Schwalbes once and did not like the 15 km experience. I did not wipe out, but it was close a couple of times. But then again, I'm used to having studded tyres in winter. I know some people around here ride throughout the year with non-studded tyres, and they seem to be doing OK in everything but absolutely the worst weather. Personally, I don't want to take the risk.

--J
I've got a tricky situation as my commute takes me over a lot of cobblestones. Studed tires are terrible on cobblestones. Last year I briefly tried studed tires, but gave them up out of safety concerns. The old style Top Touring were great. It seems that that type of tread is highly recommonded by the folks at Ice Bike.