Winter Cycling - Studded tires: front, back or both?

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Makoa
12-02-03, 12:30 PM
I'm gearing up for winter, and thinking of purchasing studded tires (or tire). My question is, do I need them front and back or can I get along fine with just front or back?

I live in Virginia... we don't get a lot of snow and ice, but when we do, it tends to stick around for a while.

Dave Stohler
12-02-03, 12:35 PM
If you can only afford 1, put it on the front.
Gojohnnygo.
12-02-03, 01:20 PM
Go with the Hakkapeliitta 106 on the front that is all you will need.Here is a link for them. http://www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/images/w106.jpg and the web site. http://www.nokiantyres.fi/bike/winter/index.html

Michel Gagnon
12-02-03, 06:43 PM
Cycling year long in Montréal with slick tires (700x32 to 700x37) in Summer and knobbies (700x37) in Winter. I had bought a studded tire, used it twice, then gave it away. Not that useful for on-street riding in and around Montréal. The only times I had problems with my tires, I would have needed a shovel, not studs.

Regards,

Regards,
Juha
12-03-03, 01:38 AM
I need both where I ride. Your kilometreage may vary, as you can see from the replys so far.

--J
tchazzard
12-07-03, 08:38 AM
I rode the past two winters with front only. Loosing traction on the front is what can take you down quickly. As for the back, it can help on starting and going up steep hills. I always towed a Burley trailer, which put a lot of weight on the rear wheel, so traction was not a problem.
naisme
12-08-03, 03:29 PM
Personally I like both, having gone down once, and hurting my sit bone so I couldn't ride for three weeks. No, you don't need them on all the time, so you get a set of cheap rims, since you're using them in the winter and swap them in and out, like I do, it's slick.

Check out Peter White's page as well, he states he's had customers order just the one tire, and then call up and order a second, having to pay twice as much for shipping.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
Jean Beetham Smith
12-08-03, 06:54 PM
In VA lowlands you might be able to get away with none, depending on the year and how much you want to ride in the winter. A studded front will help you avoid front wheel skids, a major cause of falls on the ice and snow. The rear will help with hill climbing, and can be important in braking, as on packed snow and ice you won't be using your front brakes much.

If you are in the mountains, forget the above and get 2 studded tires. You will be glad.