I know it's June and we're all trying to enjoy the warmer weather but I'm still thinking ahead to my commute this winter. I'm thinking of riding through the winter this year. I live in Southwestern, Ontario, Canada. You can't really get much further south in Canada than this area. Consequently, our winters are fairly mild. We do get our share of snow and ice but it has a tendency to accumulate and then melt off, leaving the roads bare. How are studded tires going to hold up when the roads are not snow and ice covered. Are they going to wear out in short order? Any advice about situations like this.

Not all studded tires are created equal.

Nokian tires have carbide (sp?) studs which are fairly resistent. Many people report using them for quite a few years -- still with good studs -- and they work fine on pavement.

On the other hand, Innova studded tires are much easier to find, but their studs are fairly smooth (meaning the tire slides easily, even when new), and made of soft metal. Innova tires won't last long on asphalt... probably won't even be effective for a full Winter. The concensus is that Innova tires aren't worth spending any money on them.

Schwalbe tires seem to stand half way. Very good tire design, so they grip well in snow and the studs are pointy. However, I think they have steel studs, not carbide studs, which means they would wear out quickly on asphalt. Would anyone confirm the composition of these studs?

Nokian even asks you to run several miles (I forget how many, but I think 30-50???) miles on bare road before you use them in icy/sowy conditions. I have a pair on order for my SS mtb, and am going to break them in during the summer.

This last Spring I just finished "spiking" my IRC Mythos XC tire with 192 3/8 self-starting screws. I rode it just around the neighborhood (not on ice), probably less than a mile total. I'm wondering how these screws hold up. Do I have to break these in? I've heard that these screws have hardened tips so that's why I used them. Anyone know about these?

This last Spring I just finished "spiking" my IRC Mythos XC tire with 192 3/8 self-starting screws. I rode it just around the neighborhood (not on ice), probably less than a mile total. I'm wondering how these screws hold up. Do I have to break these in? I've heard that these screws have hardened tips so that's why I used them. Anyone know about these?

What'd you use to prevent the screw heads from killing the tube?

I duck-taped over the screw heads and inserted a smaller tire inside with the wire bead cut out. The tire was an old Avocet Cross 26x1.25 I had laying around. Seems to work very well so far...

I run Nokian Extreme 296's in the winter. They go on in December and come off in February/March. In Iowa this means a lot of commutes on dry pavement and they held up fine last season. The report from my LBS who has several guys running them is that there is a set out there on its 4th season and they still look fine. The Nokian's performance is top notch (along with their price) but I think they are worth it--especially if they outlast compeditors. I love the sound that they make when running them on pavement...pedestrians can hear you coming, it's like they are being stalked by some large fast moving cat.

I run Nokian Extreme 296's in the winter. They go on in December and come off in February/March. In Iowa this means a lot of commutes on dry pavement and they held up fine last season. The report from my LBS who has several guys running them is that there is a set out there on its 4th season and they still look fine. The Nokian's performance is top notch (along with their price) but I think they are worth it--especially if they outlast compeditors. I love the sound that they make when running them on pavement...pedestrians can hear you coming, it's like they are being stalked by some large fast moving cat.

Thx. From the posts, the Nokians seem to be the tire to use. Now all I need is a winter bike. I can't bear to run any I have now, in winter here. They use a huge amount of salt to deice roads here.

Now all I need is a winter bike. I can't bear to run any I have now, in winter here. They use a huge amount of salt to deice roads here.

I know what you mean. I almost ruined a Cannondale mtn bike I used to have from the salt, riding only a couple of miles. I now built up an old-school ('80s) mtn bike as a fixed-gear winter bike. I even painted the rims (not the braking surface) and the high flange hubs with a 2-component industrial epoxy to match the frame.

I just got done with it this spring so I haven't used it in the winter yet but I can't wait for the ice and snow now!

Thx. From the posts, the Nokians seem to be the tire to use. Now all I need is a winter bike. I can't bear to run any I have now, in winter here. They use a huge amount of salt to deice roads here.

I know what you mean. I almost ruined a Cannondale mtn bike I used to have from the salt, riding only a couple of miles. I now built up an old-school ('80s) mtn bike as a fixed-gear winter bike. I even painted the rims (not the braking surface) and the high flange hubs with a 2-component industrial epoxy to match the frame.

I just got done with it this spring so I haven't used it in the winter yet but I can't wait for the ice and snow now!

I rode my Cross-Check through snow, ice and salt last winter without a problem. I did wipe it down good after every ride. Bikes are made to be ridden, not to sit in the garage waiting for the perfect day.

And as to the topic of the thread, I ran my Nokians across mostly dry pavement (with a few ice patches) for a few weeks. The studs are all there, but I don't think they're as sharp as they used to be. They still did fine on the icy patches, though.

<snip> I love the sound that they make when running them on pavement...pedestrians can hear you coming, it's like they are being stalked by some large fast moving cat.

The sound reminds me of the sound the Langaliers made in the Stephen King movie of the same name.

"Then Langaliers are coming!"

EDIT: Almost forgot. I'll be running Nokians this winter as well. I just hate the thought of getting back on the heavy commuter! :rolleyes:

The sound reminds me of the sound the Langaliers made in the Stephen King movie of the same name.

"Then Langaliers are coming!"

EDIT: Almost forgot. I'll be running Nokians this winter as well. I just hate the thought of getting back on the heavy commuter! :rolleyes:

I guess the Nokians would make some noise on bare pavement. Sounds like a great pedestrian early warning system. Plus, if they still insist on jumping in front of me it would leave interesting marks all over their stupid carcasses........ Not that I'd advocate running down pedestrians. :D

I know it's June and we're all trying to enjoy the warmer weather but I'm still thinking ahead to my commute this winter. I'm thinking of riding through the winter this year.

Any advice about situations like this.

1. Buy a pair of Nokian w160s.
2. Mount them.
3. Ride them.
4. Be thankful that it's cold in Finland.
5. At some undefined time in the future, goto 1 above (I've had mine three years, they still work a charm)

I can't say enough good things about them!

Two links: http://www.nokiantyres.com/bike/winter/index.html
and http://www.nokiantyres.com/bike/images/w160.jpg

and of course...here's where to buy in Canuckistan...

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