Winter Cycling - A good winter tire for cobblestones?

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Ziemas
03-08-05, 01:44 PM
Does anyone know of a good winter tire that can give me some traction on cobblestones? I nearly killed myself twice this week on the damn things. The first time I was crossing some tram tracks when I slid sideways, catching my front wheel in the track. I did a flying dismount, caught my bike, and kept my balance. Damn lucky. The second time was in a snowstorm during rush hour. The same sideways slide, this time in front of a car. Once again a flying dismount and good luck saved me.

Studs are even worse than non-studded tires on cobblestones. With studs all you do is slide. ATM I’m using Continental Top Touring tires, 37x700c. Any ideas? Thanks.

2manybikes
03-08-05, 08:12 PM
Sorry that this is not very helpful. But,

On Nantucket Island in Massachusetts USA..
The center of town is old and is all cobblestone. Even in the warm weather when they are dry, the police will not let you ride a bicycle on them any more. There have been so many accidents.

I don't know that there is a bicycle tire that will help very much. What you have sounds pretty good. Wider tires would be better, but no so much that it would really help. You could try lowering your air pressure. Of course you would have to go slowly to prevent a pinch flat, but I don't think there is anything much better. If you are using say 90 psi try 70. This will just be a small change too. Not a huge help.
MichaelW
03-09-05, 04:08 AM
I dont think you can improve on your choice of tyre. It more down to skill, taking those pesky tram tracks at 90 degrees.
Are the cobbles well dressed (flat) or round? In my town have one street of ancient undressed cobble that are a menace to ride on, they are all hemi-spherical 5cm lumps of shiny flint.

Ziemas
03-09-05, 10:32 AM
I dont think you can improve on your choice of tyre. It more down to skill, taking those pesky tram tracks at 90 degrees.
Are the cobbles well dressed (flat) or round? In my town have one street of ancient undressed cobble that are a menace to ride on, they are all hemi-spherical 5cm lumps of shiny flint.
I DID take the tracks at 90 degrees, well mabey 80. The stones that cause me problems are undressed. The dressed ones pose no problem.