Commuting - When do you switch to studded tires for the season?

Forecast is calling for a chance of rain next week with overnight lows in the mid 20's. I hate to ride with my Innova ice huskies on dry pavement if it it doesn't rain and freeze up...but then again if I encounter ice I'll wish I had them on. What is your criteria for deciding to switch over for the season? Snow? Freezing temps? It is warming up to the 40's-50's in the day here. Seems odd to run studs in the 50's but I guess that's what you do if its freezing at night. Forgot to mention I ride 6 miles to work at 5am.

I have few different wheelsets. Some with regular tires and some with winter/studded tires. I just folllow the weather forecast and then decide when to run studded tires. I prefer to run regular tires most of the time, and only use winter/studded tires when I feel it's neccessarry.

I've thought about using studs but I get away with knobies so far.

I have few different wheelsets. Some with regular tires and some with winter/studded tires. I just folllow the weather forecast and then decide when to run studded tires. I prefer to run regular tires most of the time, and only use winter/studded tires when I feel it's neccessarry.

+1 This ^

- Slim :)

You folks with a separate wheel set are lucky! :)

It's generally late November or December before I switch. Once we get a significant snowfall, a heavy dose of freezing rain or something like that. A little snow that sticks in the grass a bit but nowhere else I don't worry about.

Damp roads can end up with little thin icy patches on them in the mornings this time of year. I don't bother switching for that. I'll just ride more carefully.

Once the studs go on for the season, they pretty much stay on until late March or April.

You folks with a separate wheel set are lucky! :)

Lucky that they plan ahead?

I've got two bikes to commute with now, so I've studs on one and regular tires on the other and ride which ever the conditions call for. When I only had one I would wait for persistent below freezing temps plus precipitation to mount studs; if it was below freezing but dry I wouldn't bother, just be careful around bridges and other known slick spots (it helps to ride the same route everyday, to more easily keep track of changing conditions). My lady puts studs on her bike at the first sign of ice; to each their own.

If I'm in doubt as to whether studs will be necessary the next day, I just give myself an extra 15 minutes in the morning in case I need to switch tires. Gives me something to do while the coffee seeps up into my brain.

I keep a close eye on the 10 day.

Perfect weather for commuting (http://dsmcommutercorner.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/this-weather-is-near-perfect-for-commuting/)

http://dsmcommutercorner.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/octw8-10day-weather.jpg?w=600&h=456

It's generally late November or December before I switch. Once we get a significant snowfall, a heavy dose of freezing rain or something like that. A little snow that sticks in the grass a bit but nowhere else I don't worry about.

Damp roads can end up with little thin icy patches on them in the mornings this time of year. I don't bother switching for that. I'll just ride more carefully.

Once the studs go on for the season, they pretty much stay on until late March or April.

+1 = as late as possible.

I have few different wheelsets. Some with regular tires and some with winter/studded tires. I just folllow the weather forecast and then decide when to run studded tires. I prefer to run regular tires most of the time, and only use winter/studded tires when I feel it's neccessarry.

I don't have two wheelsets, but I do switch tires as conditions and forecasts dictate. I never found it much trouble switching tires. In the winter I'm cleaning and relubing my bike all the time anyway, so a few extra minutes switching tires is not a big deal.

There's no reason studs have to go "on for the season" unless you live in a place where winter weather comes and stays.

Paul

I just have one studded MTB tire, and plenty of front wheels to choose from. I'll probably mount it around Thnksgiving, then only use that wheel on snow/ice days.

I'm another with multiple bikes with one wearing studs full time...use as needed.

I'm another with multiple bikes with one wearing studs full time...use as needed.

+1

I usually use my winter bike with studs when there is enough snow and ice on the road to be packed down firmly.

When black ice season starts.

Elektrik has it begun yet at your home?

You folks with a separate wheel set are lucky!
No just older, I have a another bike, stopped swapping tires overnight based on the weather report.
and just left them on it. it is an older rig I built up from older parts starting in the late 80's.

Nokian 106 stud 26" mount and ground W, tires . Tungsten steel studs, are what auto tires use.
Rigged casing , so they are still OK 20 years on.

early on Nokian shipped tire bundles direct, from Finland, this was before
the greater capital of the big distribution companies stepped in the game.
and took it away from the small shop.