The better winter tyre: Nokian Extreme 294 vs. Schwalbe Ice Spiker
Google sponsored links
wroomwroomoops
Schwalbe Ice Spiker (http://schwalbe.com/gbl/en/bicycle/on_tour/produktgruppe/produkt/index.php5?flash=1&ID_Einsatzbereich=2&ID_Produktgruppe=16&ID_Produkt=39&ID_Artikel=183&info=1&PHPSESSID=e2cf71954966be362e22bb07fe48bec9&ID_Land=38&ID_Sprache=2&tn_mainPoint=Fahrrad&tn_subPoint=On%20Tour) vs. Nokian Extreme 294 (http://www.suomityres.fi/ext294.html)
So there you have it: two great winter tyres, both in 26" (for the purpose of this poll), both 2.1" wide, about the same number of studs (294 for the Extreme, 304 for the Ice Spiker), and the studs are made of Tungsten Carbide in both cases. Both have wire beads.
Both companies have more experience in making studded bicycle tyres than most (or even any) other.
The Nokian Extreme 294 is 950g, the Schwalbe Ice Spiker is 980g. No big difference there, either.
The Ice Spiker has KevlarGuard puncture protection.
The Nokian Extreme has deeper knobs, better suited to bite into loose snow.
Apart from this, I wouldn't know. I have started recently to use both of these tyres, and can't make up my mind which one I like more. It's early days for me.
I'd love to hear your opinion.
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Both tires are great and you can't go wrong with either one. As you've noted they're more alike then they are different.
In my experience, the Ice Spikers are a little better in loose snow and the Extremes are a little better on sheet ice. The difference is minor. I voted for the Schwalbe Ice Spikers because they're notably cheaper and easier to find locally in-store then the Nokian Extremes.
wroomwroomoops
Both tires are great and you can't go wrong with either one. As you've noted they're more alike then they are different.
In my experience, the Ice Spikers are a little better in loose snow and the Extremes are a little better on sheet ice. The difference is minor. I voted for the Schwalbe Ice Spikers because they're notably cheaper and easier to find locally in-store then the Nokian Extremes.
Thanks for your input.
Well, I did notice that the Extreme's rubber seems to be grippier than the Ice Spiker's, but this might not be very important since in the winter it's the studs that do most of the action and not the rubber.
I didn't yet vote, as I don't have enough experience with these tyres, though I am using both of them now almost every day.
pinkrobe
I rode the Ice Spikers for two winters, but have never used the Nokians. As notnormal said, they're both great tires. I'd give the nod to Schwalbe based on the lower cost.
wroomwroomoops
I rode the Ice Spikers for two winters, but have never used the Nokians. As notnormal said, they're both great tires. I'd give the nod to Schwalbe based on the lower cost.
Why did you vote the Nokian then? I am confused.
The Schwalbe Ice Spiker is more similar to the Nokian Hakka WXC300 (http://www.suomityres.fi/wxc300.html) Cheaper than the Extreme 294, shallower knobs, and their shape and size is very similar to those on the Ice Spiker.
CastIron
My Nokians have taken three seasons to wear down, so I've little to complain about outher than their total lack of puncture resistance and weight.
I'll probably try something else next winter, though.
wroomwroomoops
Did you run the Extreme 294s?
CastIron
Still do. Winter isn't over. Their last year of service, however.
ghettocruiser
Have used both for a few seasons. I had a wire bead break on an ice spiker, but it was warrantied. I think the Schwalbe has a bit more bite on skating-rink type ice. It's a toss up.
I voted Schwalbe 'cause they look cooler than 294s.
Not as cool, however, as the WXC300.
scoatw
I started out this winter with the Schwalbe Snow studs and discovered that they were junk. I purchased a M&G 160 to put up front and it made quite a difference as far as handling is concerned. The Ice Spikers may do the job. But I'm going with the 294's. Based on the reviews I get here at BikeForums. Nokian has a good reputation. Folks tell me that here in Columbus, Studs aren't needed. But I disagree. The only time I use knobby tires is in the winter, and if I'm going to use Knobbies, then I want some studs in them.
wroomwroomoops
I started out this winter with the Schwalbe Snow studs and discovered that they were junk. I purchased a M&G 160 to put up front and it made quite a difference as far as handling is concerned. The Ice Spikers may do the job. But I'm going with the 294's. Based on the reviews I get here at BikeForums. Nokian has a good reputation. Folks tell me that here in Columbus, Studs aren't needed. But I disagree. The only time I use knobby tires is in the winter, and if I'm going to use Knobbies, then I want some studs in them.
The Snow Studs are junk, I agree. They are actually OK for off-road/xc riding [EDIT: FOR SPRING/SUMMER/FALL!], if you pump them up nicely. But as winter tyres, they just don't perform worth ****.
The Ice Spikers, however, are something completely different. And my experience so far is that they seem to be better than the Nokian Extreme 294.
Now, let me understand something: you actually never tried either tyre, have you?
Yes, Nokian has a good reputation as a company, and it's a Finnish company (my country), but I am leaning towards the Ice Spiker myself. It doesn't seem to have any weakness compared to the Extreme 294 and it has puncture protection, slightly more studs and a lower price. Seems like a winner, to me.
I was really rooting for the Extreme 294, but alas...
notnormal
Schwalbe Snow Studs are commuter tires.
Schwalbe Ice Spikers are off-road tires.
Abneycat
Ice Spikers take it by a little bit IMO, the additional puncture protection you don't get with the Nokians is the kicker. These tires perform exceptionally well, and haven't failed me yet under some very serious riding conditions, both unloaded and completely loaded with over 150lbs of cargo. That said, everyone i've known to own Nokians has been happy with them - so they're both seemingly very good choices, doesn't seem like you'd go wrong with either one.
I also disagree with notnormal. If you're in a situation where rutted terrain is your current adversary, snow studs won't help you. Therefore, if you commute and face those situations, Snow studs are "inadequate" tires. Additionally, with 300lbs on the bike, it doesn't take much for a Snow stud to break loose. Personal experience.
The only feature of the snow stud I miss on the spiker is the reflex sidewall, nice touch.
Marathon Winters look like a very good happy medium between the two though, they carry a good balance between the grip of the spikers and the ability to handle rutted stuff, and the decreased rolling resistance and reflex sidewalls of the Snow studs. They're good looking tires..
wroomwroomoops
Schwalbe Snow Studs are commuter tires.
Schwalbe Ice Spikers are off-road tires.
This is an artificial and useless categorization. If you commute on terrain and conditions like mine, Schwalbe Snow Studs are not commuter tyres, because you won't go anywhere with them. These conditions call for the Ice Spikers (or such), so then they are my winter commute tyres.
I did use the Snow Studs for a large part of the winter before last. And I was afraid. Sometimes very afraid.
notnormal
Schwalbe Snow studs were designed as commuter tires. Schwalbe Ice Spikers were designed as off-road tires. There's a reason for the huge difference in performance.
Ever think that the conditions you're riding on are more like off-road conditions than normal smooth pavement conditions with patches of black ice . . .
If you have a problem with the categorization then lodge your complaint with Schwalbe :rolleyes:.
Under road tires they list the Snow Studs (http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/spikes).
Under Off-Road tires they list the Ice Spikers (http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/spikes).