Winter Cycling - Studs: If I had to do it again

After getting my new Nokian Extremes and putting around 80 miles on them last week I can whole heartedly say that these tires kick the crap out of the Mount and Grounds for my riding condtions.

http://img2.putfile.com/main/12/36311084579.jpg

This is one of the worse roads that i ride on so don't assume that all of my riding is on stuff like this. But still these tires are awesome for roads like this and even those with more hardpack.

They aren't mentioned because the studs aren't carbide and wear down rather quickly.

I have heard this criticism of some other cheap, studded tires but Continental doesn't make cheap tires. Have you used these tires and experienced a rapid wear? Personally I can't speak for their durability as I've only had them a couple of months and put maybe 200km on them so far, but I haven't lost any studs and I don't see any wear at all yet.

I'd certainly believe carbide wears better, but the Contis have hardened steel studs. I'd be interested in hearing others' experiences with these tires.

Bump for this thread and another for great winter tire information.

Does anyone know who has the Nokians Extremes in stock and at a reasonable price?

Bump for this thread and another for great winter tire information.

Does anyone know who has the Nokians Extremes in stock and at a reasonable price?

AEbike.com. For 26", you want TR1103 (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=TR1103). I know what wholesale is on these tires, and $69.99 is a very reasonable price IMO.

As you may know, AEBike and other online sellers are basically storefronting the Quality Bicycle Products catalog (QBP is a major distributor to bike shops). I checked the QBP dealer site, and at this time, they show a quantity of "50+" of the Extreme, so it isn't like they have just a couple left. But they usually sell out like lightning once bad weather arrives, so a word to the wise: don't wait for the storms to hit before you (attempt to) get your Nokians :)

AEbike.com. For 26", you want TR1103 (http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=TR1103). I know what wholesale is on these tires, and $69.99 is a very reasonable price IMO.

As you may know, AEBike and other online sellers are basically storefronting the Quality Bicycle Products catalog (QBP is a major distributor to bike shops). I checked the QBP dealer site, and at this time, they show a quantity of "50+" of the Extreme, so it isn't like they have just a couple left. But they usually sell out like lightning once bad weather arrives, so a word to the wise: don't wait for the storms to hit before you (attempt to) get your Nokians :)

Awesome; I knew a good thread bump would help!

Awesome; I knew a good thread bump would help!

Awesome is right. I see the Mount and Grounds there are only 43 bucks!

I want to answer the "if i had to do it again" question...

I WOULD NOT buy Innova Tundra Wolf tires. They are not worth the $50 in savings (compared to the Nokian Hakkepelittas), unless you are really strapped for cash. The studs just wear out too fast... so now I need to buy the Nokians for this year.

i want to answer the "if i had to do it again" question...

I would not buy innova tundra wolf tires. They are not worth the $50 in savings (compared to the nokian hakkepelittas), unless you are really strapped for cash. The studs just wear out too fast... So now i need to buy the nokians for this year.

+1. Anything without carbide tips is worthless for the long run.

^^ Long run indeed.

My Nokian Extreme 294/296's are retired after three winters. I ran them full-time NOV through March and commuted on 'em every day. Still in good shape for trail use, but streets finally took their toll and the studs on the centerline have pushed in a bit too far (but not through the carcase).

$180 for three winters of tires.

^^ Long run indeed.

My Nokian Extreme 294/296's are retired after three winters. I ran them full-time NOV through March and commuted on 'em every day. Still in good shape for trail use, but streets finally took their toll and the studs on the centerline have pushed in a bit too far (but not through the carcase).

$180 for three winters of tires.

I'm still trying to save money commuting too! :D

My logic is that since my wife and I share a car... everytime I drop $150 on biking stuff I figure that is just half a car payment that I didn't have to pay :)

Luckily the $150 expenses don't happen too often.

I'm still trying to save money commuting too! :D

Yeah you can be a gear head and ruin the ROI. But I point out to my lovely bride that I generally get to choose when to buy stuff (sale, coupon, etc.) VS the car note, insurance, and fuel being due NOW. Having said that, our new little Toyota is obscenely cheap to own for a regular car.

Figures, I waited too long to jump on the great deal I talked about earlier. They're out of em. :(

AE Bike seems to have 'em. Just ordered a new set myself. Speaking of which, if memory serves, you have to get snow studs and shoes by ~November. Seems every year folks wait 'till the last minute and distributors are sold out since demand increases every year.

With the upper rockies getting their first winter storm this weekend the clock just started ticking.

AE Bike seems to have 'em. Just ordered a new set myself. Speaking of which, if memory serves, you have to get snow studs and shoes by ~November. Seems every year folks wait 'till the last minute and distributors are sold out since demand increases every year.

With the upper rockies getting their first winter storm this weekend the clock just started ticking.

Upper rockies, right here, it didn't come at my location anyway. I thought I would check local and give them some business but they aren't stocked yet.

No Mount and Grounds at the moment at AE. I guess I didn't make it clear that's what I was looking for. Hell, I'm not sure myself what I want. Just don't think I need the Extremes.

Are there decent slick-esque studs for 26"? I have a pair of schwalbe snow-studs (http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1368)that are pretty knobby. I really only need the studs for black ice, not for snow. If the snow-studs were less aggressively knobby I think I'd like them more (but then they wouldn't be 'snow' studs I guess). I don't think I need a lot of studs per tire either, no more than the snow-studs have anyway. Or does knobbiness vanish as a rolling characteristic behind the presence of studs anyway?

Appreciate any insight.

I took CastIron's advice and just ordered a pair of Mount and Grounds from Bikeman for $115 including shipping.

Daaa-aaaam! Those 294's are spectacular!!!!!

Having to serve 5 masters (bicycles) and upgrading, etc parts I cannot do - but those are nice!!!!

I just purchased a set of Innova Ice Huskies for the winter bike (which serves as commuter and off-roader). Not near as pretty a tire as yours!!

Are there decent slick-esque studs for 26"?

Look into the Schwalbe Marathon Winter (http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1788). Good for ice, not as much for snow.

I'm revising my winter biking strategy... I am ordering some Marathon Winters on Monday; I figure that should be good for most days when there isn't heavy snow. Then I think in January I will order some Nokian Hakka W260s for really snowy days. Hopefully I'll be able to find some then... I figure I may be able to get that bicycle commuter tax credit if I wait. Spending $280 on tires is a bit much.

I'd happily do the Schwalbe tires, but again, I need those heavy tread blocks every so often when we get walloped. Minneapolis takes three days to clear snow and nobody plows until after rush hour. The Schwalbe's look like pure ice tires with the tread siping.

I just got these tires (front and back) ..we'll see how they perform this year

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5827/p1050189dp3.jpg

I took CastIron's advice and just ordered a pair of Mount and Grounds from Bikeman for $115 including shipping.

Bikeman just informed me these are out of stock and it's iffy when they will have them again. Back to the drawing board.

AE Bike seems to have 'em. Just ordered a new set myself. Speaking of which, if memory serves, you have to get snow studs and shoes by ~November. Seems every year folks wait 'till the last minute and distributors are sold out since demand increases every year.

With the upper rockies getting their first winter storm this weekend the clock just started ticking.

I just ordered Nokians from my LBS (who orders from QBP). They had a two week wait on the W106 models and only 4 pairs of W240s. Actually that would be down to 2 now ;)

Got a pair of the Mount and Ground from Niagara Cycle Works for $106 shipped. Not bad. Here's keeping the fingers crossed I don't get another email saying they are out of stock.

I just got these tires (front and back) ..we'll see how they perform this year

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5827/p1050189dp3.jpg

What kind of tires are these beasts?

Looks like the Schwalbe 240 stud jobs.

Got a pair of the Mount and Ground from Niagara Cycle Works for $106 shipped. Not bad. Here's keeping the fingers crossed I don't get another email saying they are out of stock.

Just as I thought might happen, Niagara canceled the order. I'm calling Peter White now, should have in the first place obviously.

So my advice, as if you want any, forget shopping around the internet for a good buy.

AE Bike is generally the best I've ever been able to do in the U.S. Shipping, return, and cancellation policies are the catch.

Otherwise, Schwalbe sells direct. At MSRP.