Commuting - When are studded tires needed? What should I use tomorrow?

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macteacher
10-28-08, 02:29 PM
Hi folks...I was going to make an on the spot decision in the morning if I should ride in or not. Anyhow, I've made a bet with the guy at work that we will both ride in....unless one chickens out. So tomorrow is a must ride for me. Question... the weather is calling for RAIN/SNOW SHOWERS. Can I get by with my regular Marin 1" tires? Or Should I be safe and use my beater with studded tires? I don't know if there will be any ice. The temp will be above 0, but i'm not sure.

the weather
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0696

the marin
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=457681&highlight=fairfax+marin

the studded tire beater
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=476248

nahh
10-28-08, 03:44 PM
It's a toss up, but since it says wet snow i'd go with the beater. Just make sure the tire pressure is maxed out so you don't have as much rolling resistance.

It'll still feel like a tank if you haven't ridden it lately...
AEO
10-28-08, 04:09 PM
yeah, toss up... depends on wind chill and temps at the time of commute.
I'm contemplating using either marathons plus, CX mud or studded nokians right now...

macteacher
10-28-08, 04:21 PM
i've only taken the beater with the spikers out once, the day i purchased the tires. The marin i ride every day

Is it possible to wear out the studs if ridden on dry pavement?
dogbreathpnw
10-28-08, 04:22 PM
IMHO I wouldn't put the studs on unless you have genuine accumulation; studs are known, at least in the Pacific Northwest, to be slipperier than rain tires on wet pavement.
AEO
10-28-08, 04:25 PM
studs do wear out on dry pavement, but since they're tungsten carbide, they'll last a good 3 winters before they're completely worn out.

just don't ride aggressively with them for the first 60km or until the studs settle in.
I_bRAD
10-28-08, 04:46 PM
Are you in the same toronto I'm in? I haven't switched to pants yet, much less studs.

Any bike will be fine tomorrow.
Galoot
10-28-08, 04:51 PM
You don't need studs until the fallen snow has compacted and turned into a layer of ice. Even then, you can probably do your entire ride and not have a problem. Once there's a significant layer of ice on the pavement from compacted snow, that's when I switch over to the Nokian studded front tire.
macteacher
10-28-08, 05:02 PM
Fair enough then..... thanks guys. The Marin it will be then!!!