Winter Cycling - I need studs

This was to be the first year I commuted through the winter and then winter hit and I wasn't prepared. So now I need studded tires, just when most places can get top dollar for them. Poor planning on my part. I'm on a budget. What's the best buy out there folks? Innova's, Nokians, Nashbar or some other.

The local shops are charging 50-60 for what they have. No way can I pay that much. I need 26" and don't believe I need some 300+ stud tire. And yes I have searched the topic. :)

Thanks

MEC have Schwalbe studded tires that are very good and much cheaper than Nokian's.

I know some place.

MEC have Schwalbe studded tires that are very good and much cheaper than Nokian's.

While the Schwalbe Snow Studs are very good (I have them on my MTB right now), there are the Nokian Hakkapelitta W106, which are cheaper and of comparable quality (GREAT quality, that is).

However, the OP failed to expain what kind of climate does he have during the winter, what kind of pavement/road will he be riding on, how is it maintained, etc. etc. etc. Based on the lack of details in his post, I think he'll figure out what he really needs only AFTER he starts biking in the winter.

Even I only now figured out that, for my kind of commute and my climate and the roads I ride on, a 700C with Hakka W106 is the ideal solution. For XC, though, I'll be looking at a pair of Nokian Freddies Revenz. 300+ studs of tungsten nitride beauty.

Manitscolda has the same road conditions as calgary.... but worse! Hard packed, icy, rutted side roads and dry -> slushy -> icy main roads.

A commuter friend of mine is using th Schwalbe Snonw Studs w/ 120 studs. He's gone down 3 times this year. I'm running full studded Nokian Extreme 294's and have not even come close to going down.

eBay has great deals on studded tires.

Good luck.

T.J.

Manitscolda is a fictional place. ;)

In Manitscolda, I need to ride on snowpacked, icy, rutted arteries for only about half a mile uphill. Those roads probably won't change for the remainder of the winter. The rest of the trip is on a highway and that surface changes a lot. I will probably not even attempt the commute if a little pavement isn't visible on the highway.

Before anybody warns me about riding on a highway with quesitonable conditions, the ride is at 5 AM with virtually no traffic.

At this point I'm thinking I should probably go ahead and spring for some Nokians. They would probably last forever. That means 50 or more per tire. :(

I'm looking forward to the day that commuting actually saves me some money.

Manitscolda is a fictional place. ;)


Oh, I thought Manitscolda was 2 provinces east of Coldgary, Alberta. :)

At this point I'm thinking I should probably go ahead and spring for some Nokians. They would probably last forever. That means 50 or more per tire. :(

I'm looking forward to the day that commuting actually saves me some money.

Nokians what? If you go for the Hakkapelitta W106, they are dirt cheap. I paid 24 EUR per tire.That's about 30 bucks. I'm talking about the 700C tires.

As for the day when commuting will save you money.. heh, I know exactly what you mean. I had this dilemma myelf, but I always knew I couldn't give up cycling. It's not about the money I save. Screw that - you can't take your money with you once you throw the the spoon. It's about how you live these few years you have. I, for one, decided I want to have fun, and I have fun cycling (among other things). Having strong legs and good overall physical condition is a bonus.

This was to be the first year I commuted through the winter and then winter hit and I wasn't prepared. So now I need studded tires, just when most places can get top dollar for them. Poor planning on my part. I'm on a budget. What's the best buy out there folks? Innova's, Nokians, Nashbar or some other.

The local shops are charging 50-60 for what they have. No way can I pay that much. I need 26" and don't believe I need some 300+ stud tire. And yes I have searched the topic. :)

Thanks


The Continental Spike Claw 120's are $50 CDN, the 240's are $58 CDN. They have been good tires for me so far. They also have carbide studs, and should last long.


http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3125/dscn6081mediumcy8.jpg
I bought the 120's first, however traded them in for 240's.

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4412/240spikeclawzo1.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5022/240spikeclaw1ou9.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/259/winride6fv2.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1349/winride5qn7.jpg

Could you guys give me some links to where you get the Conti's and the Nokians for those prices?

In the mean time, what about Innova Tundra Wolf Studded Snow Tires. $25 at Westernbikeworks.com

As for the day when commuting will save you money.. heh, I know exactly what you mean. I had this dilemma myelf, but I always knew I couldn't give up cycling. It's not about the money I save. Screw that - you can't take your money with you once you throw the the spoon. It's about how you live these few years you have. I, for one, decided I want to have fun, and I have fun cycling (among other things). Having strong legs and good overall physical condition is a bonus.

Great philosophy. Now if I can only make my wife buy into it. :p

Could you guys give me some links to where you get the Conti's and the Nokians for those prices?

In the mean time, what about Innova Tundra Wolf Studded Snow Tires. $25 at Westernbikeworks.com


I got mine at Doug's Spoke N Sport here in Saskatoon. If you call them up I think they'll ship them out to you as Waytoomanybikes did exactly that.

(306) 373-4224 or 1-800-392-5149.


Ask for Jay or Doug, tell them I sent you :)

Could you guys give me some links to where you get the Conti's and the Nokians for those prices?


http://www.kauppaveljet.fi/valm/15/

And this is Finland - EVERYTHING costs more in Finland than anywhere else. Ergo, you must be able to find these tires at or cheaper than, the prices listed there.

I know these are made in Finland (I live here), but I was told, not once, by salespeople, that the Nokian tires are cheaper abroad than in Finland.

A cursory search of eBay: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230058441274

Search for "nokian reifen" ("Nokian tires" in german).



I refuse to believe it, that a Hakkapelitta W106, can't be had for less than US $50, abroad. My head would explode.

I think we all got your very well illustrated point, the first time around already, thanks.


Thanks, double post has been deleted :o

I'm riding on 26" Schwalbe Snow Studs. Definitely need to bring the tire pressure down to 30 lbs. before the side-mounted studs start digging in properly. On the other hand, they ride beautifully on clear pavement at 40 lbs. The Nokian Hakk's have their studs on the high-pressure contact patch, so I'd guyess they always have the grip, but not as nice a dry-pavement ride. I've gotten a little squirrely on icy and chocolate mousse corners with 40 lbs Schwalbes, but I haven't gone down. They've been pretty solid commuting tires otherwise.

Anyone know where I can get the Continental 240's here in the states?

i saw these homebrew tires with sheet metal screws, looked like it wouldn't work, and if so, not for very long. but it gave me an idea, what about pop rivets?

You guys have my respect, riding in those conditons. I've got many horror storys while in the US Army having to live outside, eating, sleeping and traveling in that kind of weather with one exception. In Germany's winters, it can snow 4 or 5 inces every day for 10 to 15 days straight.

At this point I'm thinking I should probably go ahead and spring for some Nokians. They would probably last forever. That means 50 or more per tire. :(

I'm looking forward to the day that commuting actually saves me some money.

When it comes to essential gear such as clothing or snow tires. Sometimes its best to spend that little bit extra on good quality gear. It will last that much longer. You get a pair of Nokians, and for as much as you use them during the season. They should last 3 or 4 years or maybe more. That is when the savings starts to kick in.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3192634946_0d02c55b41.jpg

When it comes to essential gear such as clothing or snow tires. Sometimes its best to spend that little bit extra on good quality gear. It will last that much longer. You get a pair of Nokians, and for as much as you use them during the season. They should last 3 or 4 years or maybe more. That is when the savings starts to kick in.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/3192634946_0d02c55b41.jpg

You are right and my bad weather commuter now sports Nokian's. :thumb: