Winter Cycling - How do i get friction on ice?

Ok so whenever i approach ice that hasn't been treated with sand or salt i usually wipe out the second i hit it by one of these happening

A.) Going too fast
B.) Turning Slightly
C.) Braking Slightly
D.) Ice is uneven

Is there some type of tire or prevention method to not slip on ice (other than avoiding ice)?

Studded tires, there is a sticky on the winter cycling forum page on how to make some.

Studded tires are a big improvement on ice. Although not usually available for narrow tires, they can be homebrewed. I used to do this by inserting thumbtacks through the tire from the inside and then clipping off the points so only short stubs extended from the tire. Still rode cautiously on ice, but the modified tires did provide much improved traction.

Studded tires. Just type "studded tires" in the search box at the top of the page and you'll find plenty of threads about them. My experience is that they grip so well on ice that I find myself looking for frozen puddles. In the meantime you can check out the Icebike website (http://www.icebike.org/Default.htm) and Peter White's page (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp) on studded tires.

Yes, studded tires.

If you need to buy new tires to do it anyways, and especially if you're riding on roads and pavement, I vastly prefer the cheaper, but good commercial ones. The Nokian w106's sell for < $50 each in most places (Peter White sells them online, for one), they have carbide studs, and a very good reputation. Most studded tires don't come in a size smaller than 35c (there's one that's 32c, but I haven't like what I've heard about it).

Both Nokian and Schwalbe make good studded tires - carbide studs are important.

For some reason, the studded tires make you want to go find ice and snow to play in/on.

Slick street tires are near impossible. If you have wide MTB knobbies, you can get by:

Run the tires with as little air as possible without damaging them
Try to find places on the ice with the most texture, usually at the side of the road or between tracks. If there is snow covering the ice, ride there. Avoid shiny slick ice if possible.
Pick your line, and steer straight. No wobbling or sudden movements. If you see a patch of ice ahead, get up speed, find a straight line, and coast over the slick spots. Put your feet down and skate if it makes you feel safer.
Avoid areas where the slush and ice is deeply rutted with tire tracks, you can get trapped in a rut, unable to steer enough to keep your balance.


Honestly, get some studded tires. I live in Texas, and I just got some new Nokian Hakkapelliitta 106 tires for my mountain bike - got to ride in some serious ice on Christmas day. With studded tires you can ride 15mph on a skating rink with one hand on the handlebars with no worries. I may only use these tires 3 or 4 days a year around here, but I think it is the best $90 I have spent on bike gear.

Studded tires!

So far i've been using Innova tires because im too cheap to spring for the Nokians or Swalbe (sp?). Word on the street is that the Innova tires will last about 1 season. Thats good enough for my first winter biking.

Well i'm guessing i will have to whip out some cash for some ice tires then :S

I'll wait till i get a decent better bike and get some for those

Thanks everyone :D

Well i'm guessing i will have to whip out some cash for some ice tires then :S

I'll wait till i get a decent better bike and get some for those

Thanks everyone :D

Lol, that's kinda funny - most people buy a cheaper, "beater" bike for winter riding...hehe

Don't forget that as long as you have the clearance and use the same tire size (usually only 2 choices - 26" mountain bike size or 700c road size) tires are transferable between bikes!