Best Winter Road Tire?

[stevesurf]

I really like Continental Gatorskin, but I'm not sure if I need something stickier like the Grand Prix 4 Season (or other tire) this winter for wet (no snow) conditions, recreational road cycling. I heard they are not that durable.

Size is 700C x 23 or 25 or whatever; thanks!

[al-wagner]

HAKKAPELIITTA W106 (http://www.suomityres.fi/w106.html)

[notnormal]

Studded tires for slick conditions.
i.e. Nokian Hakkapelitta

[pluc]

If there ain't snow it ain't real winter.

:D

[BloomBikeShop]

Vittoria Open Pave EVO CG

Paris-Roubaix proven :)

[CastIron]

Studs.

[pinkrobe]

If there ain't snow it ain't real winter.

:D

+eleventybillion

[Godwin]

Vittoria Open Pave EVO CG

Paris-Roubaix proven :)

Same here. So far I've found the slightly bigger tire (24c) to be a bit nicer for bumpy ice and cornering while still being skinny enough to slice through snow. They don't have a lot of grip though, they tend to spin while climbing or accelerating on slippery roads and I've fishtailed a few times while coming to a stop, but I kind of like playing in the snow like that.

[Cosmoline]

Nokian Fred's Revenz. They eat ice and crap traction

How can you have a poll about winter tires without listing Nokians??

[ken cummings]

Winter around here means occasional rain showers so I go for whatever I can get in 700 x 32+ at the Community Bike Shop.

[hairytoes]

Hardly any snow here, but miles of black ice. I'm wondering about the Continental Top Contact Winter - it purports to have 'sharp granules' in the tread compound for improved grip on snow and ice.

Sounds like a great idea for the likes of me, where 20 miles of my riding is on gritted (hence ice-free) tarmac, but I have 5 miles of black ice to get through as well.

[Juha]

If there ain't snow it ain't real winter.

:Dcorrect.

[al-wagner]

I just did a Google search for the tires in the poll. And there are NOT winter tires. Unless you live in the way down south states...

Conti Gatorskin (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/race/ultra_gatorskin/ultra_gatorskin_en.html)

Conti Grand Prix 4-Season (http://elitecycling.biz/page.cfm?PageID=55&action=details&sku=TR9261)

Michelin Pro2 Grip (http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=reparto&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=705822169&Count2=622962594&ProductID=1807&Target=products.asp)

Vredestein Fortezza TriComp (http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/29/142/3356?g=1)

Schwalbe Ultremo (http://www.teamcyclist.com/store/Schwalbe-Clincher-Tires-Ultremo-ID_P13159.cfm)

[stevesurf]

I just did a Google search for the tires in the poll. And there are NOT winter tires. Unless you live in the way down south states...

Conti Gatorskin (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/race/ultra_gatorskin/ultra_gatorskin_en.html)

Conti Grand Prix 4-Season (http://elitecycling.biz/page.cfm?PageID=55&action=details&sku=TR9261)

Michelin Pro2 Grip (http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=reparto&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=705822169&Count2=622962594&ProductID=1807&Target=products.asp)

Vredestein Fortezza TriComp (http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/29/142/3356?g=1)

Schwalbe Ultremo (http://www.teamcyclist.com/store/Schwalbe-Clincher-Tires-Ultremo-ID_P13159.cfm)

I actually should have rephrased the post to: "Best tire for winter road cycling"

That said, I wanted to hear whether people have had positive experiences for the above as winter road tires.

FYI, Continental markets the 4 season as just that, for use all year round improved adhesion.

A number of people have reviewed the Gatorskin as a good winter [outdoor] training tire.

This month's Bicycling reviewed the Michelin Pro Grip as a good tire for the winter's cold wet conditions.

Sometimes Google search is not conclusive...

[al-wagner]

Winter is snow,ice,slush etc.
The tires you have listed are good for none winter conditions.
But for wet or dry roads any of the tires in the poll would be good.
I kind of like the Schwalbe Ultremo.
On my road bike I use Bontrager Race Lite (http://www.bontrager.com/Road/Wheelworks/Tires/5730.php) and have over 2500 miles on them. I do not use them for real winter riding.

[AEO]

I've used P2R, but not P2R Grip in slushy conditions. They're ok, but I wouldn't do it again if I had the option...

[stevesurf]

I've used P2R, but not P2R Grip in slushy conditions. They're ok, but I wouldn't do it again if I had the option...
Thanks for the reply!



Winter is snow,ice,slush etc.
The tires you have listed are good for none winter conditions.
Winter can be cold, wet weather too. I see by your sig that winter can have a far different meaning; we got very cold, wet blacktop this weekend (with some slush); you probably got quite a bit of snow.

Bicycling Magazine seems to disagree with you as well, at least with their review of the Michelin Pro2 Grip (p. 92, Jan/Feb 2008 issue):

We rode a set through last winter and loved how the Pro2 Grip found adhesion even over frigid, damp blacktop.

[al-wagner]

Thanks for the reply!




Winter can be cold, wet weather too. I see by your sig that winter can have a far different meaning; we got very cold, wet blacktop this weekend (with some slush); you probably got quite a bit of snow.

Bicycling Magazine seems to disagree with you as well, at least with their review of the Michelin Pro2 Grip (p. 92, Jan/Feb 2008 issue):
I liked the looks of the tire. I don't the spec of it.:eek:

We got about 11 inch of snow yesterday and I live in the part that seems to get the least snow. :)