Winter Cycling - studed tires

Hi i have a question about studed tires i have one studed tire and one non studed noby tire i am wondering witch one to put on the front and witch one to put on the rear. Thanks for the help.

If you absolutely want to ride with studded/non-studded combination, you should put the studded tyre in front. Rear wipeouts are somewhat recoverable, front wipeouts not so.

--J

Rear wipeouts are not necessarily recoverable either. I crashed on ice twice this winter, both times due to a rear wipeout with a non-studded tire. I ride with a pair of studded tires nearly all the time during the winter, and both crashes were when I was riding with a studded tire only on the front wheel.

After these two crashes and other rear wipeouts when riding with only a studded front tire, I am now convinced that only one studded tire is not enough. Rear wheel wipeouts may be "Somewhat recoverable" most of the time, but other times they lead to crashes.

I believe that if I had been running a pair of studded tires, the lateral sliding of the rear tire would have occured less quickly due to increased traction, and that I may well have avoided the crashes.

Of course, running a studded tire only on the rear wheel is the worst idea ever. As dangerous as rear-wheel wipeouts may be, front-wheel wipeouts are even more so.

And remember, even running a pair of studded tires won't save you from wipeouts. Also, there is such a thing as a two-wheel wipeout, where the bike starts leaning as both wheels slide laterally at the same time. Happened to me at least once - scary thing...

When riding on ice, be really careful, and always ready to land on your feet. And while a pair of good studded tires at lower pressures will give you a lot more control, they do have limits, so don't be overconfident.

My one winter fall this year was caused by a rear wheel spinout. I jump on the road, which for some reason had turned to one big sheet of black ice (turns out it does that at 0*F under certain conditions) I I go to accelerate, I get out of the saddle and push down on the pedals to have my rear tire completely washout. I fall instantly. I actually did the exact same thing last summer when I had to cross a grass field to pick up my number at a race. I get on my bike and accelerate out of the saddle, the slick tire on a little mud just spun, and the bike flew right out from under me. Its hard to tell people why your cut up before the race even starts.

Thanks for the help I am going to keep both studded ties on my problem is that i ride a single speed and the tires are just to heavy i can bearly move the bike now that i put the studded tires on. I will just halve to ride more and get stronger. Thanks again.

Thanks for the help I am going to keep both studded ties on my problem is that i ride a single speed and the tires are just to heavy i can bearly move the bike now that i put the studded tires on. I will just halve to ride more and get stronger. Thanks again.

I do too, but I change my ratio for winter. I don't know what your set up is, but If you can get yourself a bigger freewheel -or cog. Even one tooth makes a difference in the back.

front for control rear for speed


you can learn to deal with loss of traction either way

^^^^ You mean pull a wheelie whenever you suspect ice?

are you sure the tyre isn't rubbing the frame or fork, or that you even have snow-ice build up which is adding friction?

if you have single speed, you'll want a lower gear inch, lower than 70 gear inches

Thanks for the help I am going to keep both studded ties on my problem is that i ride a single speed and the tires are just to heavy i can bearly move the bike now that i put the studded tires on. I will just halve to ride more and get stronger. Thanks again.

Smart move! Sure when a rear wheel starts to go you may be able to get your foot down in time, but if it is icy, you are quite likely to crash hard anyways as you feet will problably slip out from under you as well... I know from personal experience. Last year I had two Innova steel studded tires. One had a bead failure and could only get a Nokia W106 tire as a replacement. Guess what the Nokia held on just fine, the lousy steel studds (only 2 months old) on the Innova just could not dig in anymore. Lesson learned. $100 for top notch carbite studded tires is cheaper in the long run tha $60 steel studded tires. The carbite tires will last may years and will actually work when you need them to. I was lucky and only hurt my elbow and should enough to keep me off the bike for about a week and a half. I could have easy had more damage, but I got lucky. I won't tempt fate again.

Happy riding,
André

you can learn to deal with loss of traction either way
^^^^ You mean pull a wheelie whenever you suspect ice?:roflmao2: I'd have to wheelie the entire 15km commute then. If by "learning to deal" you (127...) mean learning to fall graciously, then I agree.

--J