View Full Version : Which Nokian is for me????
Okay, after crashing hard on the pavement yesterday, I've finally decided that a studded tire is for me!
I've done several searches, and it seems that the Nokian studded tires (http://www.nokiantyres.com/bike/winter/index.html) are very popular and do a good job. These tires will be for my single-speed mountain bike that I ride just about everything with - single-track, urban, etc. Which Nokian (or other brand if you wish) should I choose for my application????
Also, for a bonus question :D, are there any studded tubeless tires? I'm running tubeless now, and I really like the lower pressure, and no pinch-flats.
ThanX!!!!!!!
Peter White Cycles has a good page on studded tires that will answer many of your questions.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
Glad you didn't mention any injuries. That's the problem with ice. I fell a couple years ago and cracked my sit bone, or bruised it or something, but it hurt and I was out of riding for 3 weeks. Not only did it make biking miserable it made sitting miserable.
Peter White Cycles has a good page on studded tires that will answer many of your questions.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
Glad you didn't mention any injuries.
Wow - that's great stuff, Naisme. I did bruise and tear some flesh from my elbow and knee, but this time I was fortunate. I could have done much worse!
Wow - great link - thanX!!! :) Does anyone else have any comments? I'm leaning toward the Extreme 296 (http://www.nokiantyres.com/bike/images/extreme296.jpg) now.
What about tubeless? ThanX!!!!!
Kurt Breuer
02-05-04, 11:15 AM
This is my 3rd winter using Nokian 296 extremes. They are awesome. I've biked up to 18mph on smooth ice on a lake (using caution, especially in turns). They increase safety on slippery roads for my daily commute. I have a spare set of rims, so I only use the the Nokians when needed, in order to avoid wearing out such expensive tires, and of course keeping the studs sharp and reliable.
This is my 3rd winter using Nokian 296 extremes. They are awesome.
ThanX for the first hand info.! I just plunked down some cold, hard cash for a set of the Extreme 296 tires. I'll have to give up the tubeless tires for the winter, but hopefully these tires will keep me upright, and more than make up for running tubes.
Bring on the ice! :D
http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Equipment/rims.htm
This is another useful link, its for the Snow Cat rims that the 296s would fit nicely and give a great footprint to ride on the ice.
You don't think the 296 is too much for you to commute on? I ride the 700 160s, and they are just fine. Once and a while the rear may get squirelly, but the purchase on the ice, and packed snow make it a great tire, even with the "low" number of studs.
http://users.rcn.com/icebike/Equipment/rims.htm
This is another useful link, its for the Snow Cat rims that the 296s would fit nicely and give a great footprint to ride on the ice.
You don't think the 296 is too much for you to commute on? I ride the 700 160s, and they are just fine. Once and a while the rear may get squirelly, but the purchase on the ice, and packed snow make it a great tire, even with the "low" number of studs.
ThanX again for the great link! I like the wide rim idea - it makes sense.
I'm using this bike (Bianchi SISS) for a variety of riding - some of which will be snow-packed single-track, so I think I got the right tire for my application. I will also be riding the road (although I've found many shortcuts that get me off the pave), so I hope that this isn't going to be too much overkill for that application.
I can't wait to try them out! ThanX again!!!
BTW, I will give a full review once I get these tires, and get some real miles on them.
Daily Commute
02-09-04, 09:31 AM
I asked a similar question in the commuting forum, here is the link to the answers I got: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=44845
In the end, I got the Hakkapeliitta W106 700x35 for commuting on my Surly Cross-Check. Based on a full three days of experience with them, they give me enough to go across an ice slick, but still work just fine on pavement.
The W106's are nicely balanced for a route that alternates between snow, ice and dry pavement. But if you mainly do serious off road ice-biking, you probably want something more.
With a lot of first-hand experience: Nokian Extreme 296 is very good. Nokian WXC 300 is even better (mostly because it's lighter). These are my only choices and recommendations for 26" wheels. I don't know of any tubeless.
The only time these tires have let me down was in a garage with very smooth concrete surface. On ice, you can do just about anything with these.
Of course, tires with this many studs don't roll like slicks, but I don't think that's a disadvantage -- it makes you more powerful for the summer.
Ride and smile!
Forgot to mention: you have to take it easy for the first 40 miles or so and let the studs settle. After that, they won't rip out. I think I've lost only 2 or 3 studs in 5 winters.
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.