Winter Cycling - Which tires do you use?

quick and simple, which tires are the most popular for winter riding.
Personally, my top picks are from Nokian and Schwalabe.


I know I've left out quite a few from innova, but I figure they aren't very popular anyways with how quick they wear out.

If your favourite tire isn't listed, speak up ;)

I've got some extreme 294s for singletrack, but stick to the marathon winters on all but the most insane snow conditions.

Are you interested more in commuting stuff? if so you should say!

Hakka 300 for snowy commutes and the Don trails.

I've got some extreme 294s for singletrack, but stick to the marathon winters on all but the most insane snow conditions.

Are you interested more in commuting stuff? if so you should say!

actually, I already have some schwalabe ice spikers on order for the don valley trails.
I'd buy the hakka W240 since they're more multipurpose, but the ice spikers are cheaper.
It would allow me to buy a faster rolling front, either the snow stud or marathon winter, for commuting, where I don't need studded for 99% of the time.

I used to use hakkapelitta W106 for everything, but they're simply not good enough for off road and add a lot of rolling resistance while on road. I got around fine with a studded front and slick rear for a majority of the winter commutes last year.

actually, I already have some schwalabe ice spikers on order for the don valley trails.
I'd buy the hakka W240 since they're more multipurpose, but the ice spikers are cheaper.
It would allow me to buy a faster rolling front, either the snow stud or marathon winter, for commuting, where I don't need studded for 99% of the time.

I used to use hakkapelitta W106 for everything, but they're simply not good enough for off road and add a lot of rolling resistance while on road. I got around fine with a studded front and slick rear for a majority of the winter commutes last year.

Yeah, for some reason the ice spikers are on sale... Just under $60 dollars from the uk, which is dirt cheap... The extremes which are similar to the ice spiker really are just too much on asphalt though, i did use them once or twice and it was fun to sound like a tank but, it was tiring.(no pun intended)

I've used nokian extremes for 3 winters, used them for both commuting and singletrack. This winter I'll be using schwalbee snow stud in a 700x38 size for commuting and riding around the suburbs. I also have a set of homemade studded tires for singletrack and offroad. I've noticed that my homemade studded tires have a better traction then my nokians but they are very heavy and the rolling resistence on pavement is horrible.

I use the Nokian M&G. I haven't tried anything else (last winter was my first) but may when these wear out in a year or two.

If you can, you might add homemade to your poll. Several people that post here use homemade studs.

Paul

unfortunately, you're only allowed 10.

If I could add more, I'd separate Kenda klondike into narrow, regular and wide, separate conti spike claw into 120 and 240, separate hakkapelitta W106 into 35mm and 45mm, separate marathon winter into various sizes, add more nokian tires, add a bunch of innova tires, add "other" and add "home made".

which would be like 30 choices.

I stud my own tyres... am using Fire XC's on the mtb with a self studded Fire XC mounted on it's own rim.

700 x 35 vittoria rando cross. I only recall a few time where I ever wished I/ thought I needed studs. I am not opposed though. They could be magical for all I know.

When there's deeper snow out (about more than 1"), I'll be using my DF bike that has 700x35 Nokian W106 tires. When the roads are plowed or there's very little snow on them, I'll be using my recumbent trike with 20x1.6 Schwalabe Marathon Winter tires that I just ordered the other day.

Freddies. They aren't on your list though. My Hakka 300s are also good, but the Freddies have a wider and flatter profile that grips better.

Nokian A10, not fancy but sufficient for 98% of what I deal with, which is mostly ice.

I set up my B bike with some Kenda Komodo's which are much like the Mythos... could also run a studded front but figure these will be great for riding when ice is not a concern and I want to make better time.

It's spelled, "Schwalbe", although you did spell "Hakkapeliitta" right. Just saying. :innocent:

http://imgur.com/OYnXDl.jpg

hmmm, I don't know why I put in those extra a's :o

hmmm, I don't know why I put in those extra a's :o

Maybe you were thinking of one of these...
http://www.rollinghillswildlife.com/animals/w/wallabybennetts/images/wallaby.jpg

Freddies. They aren't on your list though. My Hakka 300s are also good, but the Freddies have a wider and flatter profile that grips better.

Not much love for the fat tire bikes :-)

+1 for the Freddies. I run Freedies on Surly LM rims, 65mm wide, for icy conditions and switch to Surly endos or a larry for dry snow.

Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro. They cost an arm and a leg but in the long run worth it.