Finally rode in the snow and ice with studded snow tires!
11-27-15, 04:45 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,971
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,676 Times
in
827 Posts
Finally rode in the snow and ice with studded snow tires!
Thanks to you all in the bikeforums community I bought studded snow tires and finally got an opportunity to ride in the snow and ice to pick up 50lbs of snow melt for the house. Let's go to the tape!
https://youtu.be/yskVO0mZMkA
I'll work on upping my speed as I build confidence, although 50lbs in the rear baskets was slightly unnerving.
11-27-15, 10:19 PM
#2
Tortoise Wins by a Hare!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Looney Tunes, IL
Posts: 7,398
Bikes: Wabi Special FG, Raleigh Roper, Nashbar AL-1, Miyata One Hundred, '70 Schwinn Lemonator and More!!
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1549 Post(s)
Liked 941 Times
in
504 Posts
Well done!
I wouldn't worry too much about speed... on snow/ice I figure it's more about staying up!
I wouldn't worry too much about speed... on snow/ice I figure it's more about staying up!
11-28-15, 03:04 AM
#3
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,430
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1107 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
130 Posts
Thanks to you all in the bikeforums community I bought studded snow tires and finally got an opportunity to ride in the snow and ice to pick up 50lbs of snow melt for the house. Let's go to the tape!
https://youtu.be/yskVO0mZMkA
I'll work on upping my speed as I build confidence, although 50lbs in the rear baskets was slightly unnerving.
Bikeforums is where I learned that a thing called "studded bicycle tyre" exists.
After years of riding all year long, some 5 years ago I started riding in the snow and ice as well, easily and safely. Put my past experience and knowledge in these three articles so far, in order to help others start winter cycling more easily:
Winter cycling Archives - Bike Gremlin
This is also very useful, from another BF member (Sixty Fiver):
Winter Cycling 101 « Raving Bike Fiend
https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cyc...ing-101-a.html
11-28-15, 06:26 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Finally rode in the snow and ice with studded snow tires!
I think you have to be pretty hardcore to consider riding on ice and snow as an opportunity 
.
I have posted to this Living car Forum, ”What you got from BF transportation forums?”
And the post that really convinced me to buy studded tires (and keep on all winter):
I recently posted to this LCF Forum, ”The right tool for the job”:
To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes. 
Thanks to you all in the bikeforums community I bought studded snow tires and finally got an opportunity to ride in the snow and ice…
. I have posted to this Living car Forum, ”What you got from BF transportation forums?”
I often recall how BF played such a vital part in getting me out on the street and in better health....What about you? What role did BF play in getting you out on two wheels?
I'm perfectly fine with a high end carbon fiber bike for urban commuting/training and road cycling, and a mountain bike as a beater that can accept studded tires and a rack with a pannier for bad weather, utility riding, and off–road, if I were so-inclined (not particularly).
…In 2013 was the first winter with the CF bike, and over the past two winters, that bike essentially is not ridden from January through March, and I ride the heavy-duty beater bike with studded tires. Last year, I thought about a second lesser quality road bike to ride on dry, but salted roads…
This weekend, I was in bike shop to get some minor work done and I started to look at second tier road bikes. My trusted mechanic suggested an aluminum BMC, with upgraded components and 25 C tires. That would then become a year-round beater/rain bike, and the mountain bike would become the most severe winter ride…
This morning though as I rode the CF at 39°F, I could be confident that the sheen on the road was wet, and not black ice. I was reminded about the post by @ tsl Rochester New York, which convinced me to get studded tires in the first place...I’ll have to keep that in mind to ride a road bike with unstudded tires during the winter.
This weekend, I was in bike shop to get some minor work done and I started to look at second tier road bikes. My trusted mechanic suggested an aluminum BMC, with upgraded components and 25 C tires. That would then become a year-round beater/rain bike, and the mountain bike would become the most severe winter ride…
This morning though as I rode the CF at 39°F, I could be confident that the sheen on the road was wet, and not black ice. I was reminded about the post by @ tsl Rochester New York, which convinced me to get studded tires in the first place...I’ll have to keep that in mind to ride a road bike with unstudded tires during the winter.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-28-15 at 07:51 AM.
11-28-15, 07:04 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Southern Colorado
Posts: 493
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Fantastic feeling ain't it?! I reside on the Front Range as well, and took the icy conditions afforded us by this Wintery blast to break out the studded tire bike despite having the day off. Did a dry run to work plus another four miles. In my sophomore year now with the studs, BF is where the idea came from to get started with them.
Brace yourself for co worker looks and commentary. People can't fathom riding into work on good weather days, let alone icy, snowy ones. When you come bopping into work on your bike grinning like a crazy person, some will believe you such, LOL
Brace yourself for co worker looks and commentary. People can't fathom riding into work on good weather days, let alone icy, snowy ones. When you come bopping into work on your bike grinning like a crazy person, some will believe you such, LOL
Last edited by Motolegs; 11-28-15 at 07:16 AM.
11-28-15, 07:47 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,201
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2010 Post(s)
Liked 408 Times
in
234 Posts
Hey, great job! I felt the same way on my maiden voyage on the Schwalbe winters. More practice=more confidence.
11-28-15, 08:47 AM
#7
GATC
Excellent OP! For myself, 2 more commute days of icing conditions and then the rain returns... I am going to try to leave the studs on the shelf this week...
11-28-15, 09:03 AM
#8
Senior Member
Finally rode in the snow and ice with studded snow tires!
I think you have to be pretty hardcore to consider riding on ice and snow as an opportunity.
I have posted to this Living car Forum, ”What you got from BF transportation forums?”
And the post that really convinced me to buy studded tires (and keep on all winter):
I recently posted to this LCF Forum, ”The right tool for the job”:
To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes.
I think you have to be pretty hardcore to consider riding on ice and snow as an opportunity
. I have posted to this Living car Forum, ”What you got from BF transportation forums?”
And the post that really convinced me to buy studded tires (and keep on all winter):
I recently posted to this LCF Forum, ”The right tool for the job”:
To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes.
__________________
Fixed Gear Randonneur
A cult within a cult
Fixed Gear Randonneur
A cult within a cult
11-28-15, 09:37 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 8,101
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
13 Posts
To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes.
45Nrth makes a 30mm studded tire that looks pretty decent but I haven't tried.
11-29-15, 05:58 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Thanks to you all in the bikeforums community I bought studded snow tires and finally got an opportunity to ride in the snow and ice…
Hardcore becomes stupid when it becomes dangerous.
Hardcore becomes stupid when anything going wrong becomes a safety problem instead of an inconvenience…
Hardcore becomes stupid when minor errors in judgment become safety issues…
Hardcore has clearly become completely stupid when you lose any fingers or toes to frostbite.
In each case, it's not just the weather that makes it hardcore or stupid, it's the degree of preparation and knowledge used in dealing with the weather.
Hardcore becomes stupid when anything going wrong becomes a safety problem instead of an inconvenience…
Hardcore becomes stupid when minor errors in judgment become safety issues…
Hardcore has clearly become completely stupid when you lose any fingers or toes to frostbite.
In each case, it's not just the weather that makes it hardcore or stupid, it's the degree of preparation and knowledge used in dealing with the weather.
But I also agree with this post by @buzzman that describes winter cycling in Boston’s worst conditions,
11-29-15, 07:29 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2,248
Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 363 Post(s)
Liked 66 Times
in
48 Posts
I also cycle commute year round and the studded tyres make a difference. I have been riding on ice since thursday evening (it rained hard, then dropped below freezing, then snowed on top of the ice, then stayed below freezing).
I ride a bit slower; but the hardest part is when I have to put my foot down; that is when I see what the studs are doing. When I put my foot down, or even trying to get on the bike, is when I notice how slick the surface is.
I ride a bit slower; but the hardest part is when I have to put my foot down; that is when I see what the studs are doing. When I put my foot down, or even trying to get on the bike, is when I notice how slick the surface is.
11-29-15, 07:40 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
… Last year, I thought about a second lesser quality road bike to ride on dry, but salted roads…
This weekend, I was in bike shop to get some minor work done and I started to look at second tier road bikes. My trusted mechanic suggested an aluminum BMC, with upgraded components and 25 C tires. That would then become a year-round beater/rain bike, and the mountain bike would become the most severe winter ride…
This morning though as I rode the CF at 39°F, I could be confident that the sheen on the road was wet, and not black ice. …I’ll have to keep that in mind to ride a road bike with unstudded tires during the winter.[/B]
This weekend, I was in bike shop to get some minor work done and I started to look at second tier road bikes. My trusted mechanic suggested an aluminum BMC, with upgraded components and 25 C tires. That would then become a year-round beater/rain bike, and the mountain bike would become the most severe winter ride…
This morning though as I rode the CF at 39°F, I could be confident that the sheen on the road was wet, and not black ice. …I’ll have to keep that in mind to ride a road bike with unstudded tires during the winter.[/B]
…To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes.
If I’m going to buy a second road bike for winter riding, I guess I’ll just have to be extra careful to ride dry roads and to watch out for ice. Fortunately the roads on my commute are pretty well illuminated in the early dark AM.
11-30-15, 02:36 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
To the best of my knowledge including Peter White’s website on studded tires there are no studded tires available for road bikes.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
The skinniest studded tire I know of is the 45nrth Xerces, 30c. So if your "road" bike's largest tire is 25c it's a no go, but if your road bike has clearance for 30c they are available.
The problem seems to be that you need more tread to keep the studs stuck in the tire while riding in order to have studs, and skinny 25c tires don't have that.
11-30-15, 11:48 PM
#15
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,430
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1107 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
130 Posts
It depends on what you mean by "road" bike. There are no 25c studded tires that I know of and I know a fair amount, I wrote this thread on different studded tires that are available:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
The skinniest studded tire I know of is the 45nrth Xerces, 30c. So if your "road" bike's largest tire is 25c it's a no go, but if your road bike has clearance for 30c they are available.
The problem seems to be that you need more tread to keep the studs stuck in the tire while riding in order to have studs, and skinny 25c tires don't have that.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
The skinniest studded tire I know of is the 45nrth Xerces, 30c. So if your "road" bike's largest tire is 25c it's a no go, but if your road bike has clearance for 30c they are available.
The problem seems to be that you need more tread to keep the studs stuck in the tire while riding in order to have studs, and skinny 25c tires don't have that.
12-01-15, 07:28 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
It depends on what you mean by "road" bike. There are no 25c studded tires that I know of and I know a fair amount, I wrote this thread on different studded tires that are available:
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
The skinniest studded tire I know of is the 45nrth Xerces, 30c. So if your "road" bike's largest tire is 25c it's a no go, but if your road bike has clearance for 30c they are available.
The problem seems to be that you need more tread to keep the studs stuck in the tire while riding in order to have studs, and skinny 25c tires don't have that.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
The skinniest studded tire I know of is the 45nrth Xerces, 30c. So if your "road" bike's largest tire is 25c it's a no go, but if your road bike has clearance for 30c they are available.
The problem seems to be that you need more tread to keep the studs stuck in the tire while riding in order to have studs, and skinny 25c tires don't have that.
Those Xerces tires were the narrowest I too could find. I’m still debating about the unstudded road bike. The greatest danger is the early morning darkness, and my ability to adequately see the subtle patches of ice. Just this morning, the first one this season with goggles, I noted some diminished vision from the glare on a rare short segment of my route where I directly face oncoming headlights.
12-01-15, 05:12 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
Usability of bikes not taking tyres at least 32 mm AND mudguards is quite limited IMO. Sports equipment, more than transportation vehicle. My road bike takes 28 mm tyres with mudguards so that kicks it out of the winter cycling consideration - I have to have a backup bike that is actually practical.
12-01-15, 05:15 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
Thanks for your reply @PaulRivers. I read your excellent post about studded tires, and your review of the Schwalbe Marathon Winters was spot on, in my experience.
...feel free to comment in that thread, to. ;-)
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...fat-bikes.html
Those Xerces tires were the narrowest I too could find. I’m still debating about the unstudded road bike. The greatest danger is the early morning darkness, and my ability to adequately see the subtle patches of ice. Just this morning, the first one this season with goggles, I noted some diminished vision from the glare on a rare short segment of my route where I directly face oncoming headlights.
Just not worth the risk to me. A single visit to the doctor costs me more than a pair of studded tires. And being a few minutes faster isn't worth it for me either.
12-01-15, 05:32 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Thanks for those replies. I read @Sixty-Fiver’s sticky about making studded tires, similar to the above link, but they do not appear suitable for road/commuter cycling. My mechanic suggested that such studs would be slippery on metal, like manhole covers. Also, the bike I’m looking at would not accept 30 c tires as made by 45Nrth.
If I’m going to buy a second road bike for winter riding, I guess I’ll just have to be extra careful to ride dry roads and to watch out for ice. Fortunately the roads on my commute are pretty well illuminated in the early dark AM.
If I’m going to buy a second road bike for winter riding, I guess I’ll just have to be extra careful to ride dry roads and to watch out for ice. Fortunately the roads on my commute are pretty well illuminated in the early dark AM.
12-01-15, 05:54 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
Posts: 494
Bikes: various strays, mongrels, and old junk.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
No studded tires for road bikes?
Sounds like a good excuse to buy a 'cross bike. A Cyclocross bike will fit larger tires, and will be more comfortable in other dirty and slippery conditions than a road bike, while still being a relatively light and sporty ride designed for drop bars.
Or so it seems to me ... what would I know. My studded tires are 26".
... Or maybe a touring bike ...
Sounds like a good excuse to buy a 'cross bike. A Cyclocross bike will fit larger tires, and will be more comfortable in other dirty and slippery conditions than a road bike, while still being a relatively light and sporty ride designed for drop bars.
Or so it seems to me ... what would I know. My studded tires are 26".
... Or maybe a touring bike ...
12-01-15, 08:46 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,546
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5223 Post(s)
Liked 3,579 Times
in
2,341 Posts
cool music
12-01-15, 10:54 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Overall, I'm very happy with them. I can go fast with them, yet still have adequate grip on the ice and slippery stuff. @PaulRivers described them best. "Good for going fast but not the best for the slippery stuff." (I'm paraphrasing, but I'm pretty sure he said that in his thread.) Thread link I consider myself a good rider, so if you're unsure about your riding on ice, I wouldn't go with these tires if I were you. Here in Montana I mostly ride on packed snow (we don't salt roads) or bare asphalt. If it stays super cold (like it currently is) we don't actually see a lot of ice since nothing ever gets a chance to melt.
That's what my Xerxes are mounted on. Surly Cross Check. It'd be very... hard to mount fenders and 30mm tires on a normal road bike.
12-01-15, 11:57 PM
#23
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,430
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1107 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
130 Posts
You need another bike that is more practical. Road bike is good for the other three seasons, but winter calls for a Hybrid with some clearance. Cyclo cross frames I've seen don't have drilled holes to attach mudguards and rear rack - this kicks them out of commuter bicycle category for me.
12-02-15, 08:56 AM
#24
Senior Member
You need another bike that is more practical. Road bike is good for the other three seasons, but winter calls for a Hybrid with some clearance. Cyclo cross frames I've seen don't have drilled holes to attach mudguards and rear rack - this kicks them out of commuter bicycle category for me.
12-02-15, 08:59 AM
#25
Senior Member
I bought them. They're good, but not as good as my 26 inch Nokian W240s. (Obviously the Nokians have twice as many spikes and have more spikes on the ground at all times.) They're great for just about everything, but have only slightly less grip on glare ice than my Nokians. They have stronger sidewalls than most 30mm tires, so you can run them at lower pressures. I e-mailed 45nrth, and they suggested running them at 40 PSI for maximum grip on glare ice. (I weigh 155 lbs, heavier people would need more pressure obviously.) I haven't gotten a chance to try that tip out, as it hasn't been the right weather for glare ice.
Overall, I'm very happy with them. I can go fast with them, yet still have adequate grip on the ice and slippery stuff. @PaulRivers described them best. "Good for going fast but not the best for the slippery stuff." (I'm paraphrasing, but I'm pretty sure he said that in his thread.) Thread link I consider myself a good rider, so if you're unsure about your riding on ice, I wouldn't go with these tires if I were you. Here in Montana I mostly ride on packed snow (we don't salt roads) or bare asphalt. If it stays super cold (like it currently is) we don't actually see a lot of ice since nothing ever gets a chance to melt.
That's what my Xerxes are mounted on. Surly Cross Check. It'd be very... hard to mount fenders and 30mm tires on a normal road bike.
Overall, I'm very happy with them. I can go fast with them, yet still have adequate grip on the ice and slippery stuff. @PaulRivers described them best. "Good for going fast but not the best for the slippery stuff." (I'm paraphrasing, but I'm pretty sure he said that in his thread.) Thread link I consider myself a good rider, so if you're unsure about your riding on ice, I wouldn't go with these tires if I were you. Here in Montana I mostly ride on packed snow (we don't salt roads) or bare asphalt. If it stays super cold (like it currently is) we don't actually see a lot of ice since nothing ever gets a chance to melt.
That's what my Xerxes are mounted on. Surly Cross Check. It'd be very... hard to mount fenders and 30mm tires on a normal road bike.