Shawnrs

Another Newbie asking about studded tires:

I live in Vancouver BC Canada. Known more for rain than anything else. However for very short periods of the year we are at or below freezing. At 5am in the morning it can be black ice heaven. Between Nov. and Late February the chance of hitting Black ice is only 20% of the time. I am trying justify things.. Mostly to myself.
Last year after hitting an black ice patch, and thinking I split my ass open, I was all ready to spend the $100 on studded Nokians. Then it rained and or got warm again.

I can run up to a 700x 35c tire. After reading the babble above can someone suggest a black ice tire. I am looking towards the Nokians just based on cost. The Marathons just seem to be too pricey. I don't care about noise. I carry roughly 15- 20 lbs on the rear rack quite often.
How are the studded tires in terms of puncture resistance (glass etc)?
Thanks in advance.

Play safe.

irclean

It's too bad if the Marathon Winters are out of your price range. As a former Vancouverite myself I can confidently say that they would likely be the ideal tire for your situation; they provide the least amount of rolling resistance of all the studded tires that I know of, except perhaps the Nokian A10. The Marathon, however, is twice the tire that the A10 is, IMHO. It has a Kevlar belt for puncture resistance and I have yet to suffer a flat with them (knock on wood). They also have a reflective strip which comes in handy. As far as black ice goes... they are perfect! In the winter I find myself looking for patches of ice to ride on; it's a blast! Low rolling resistance plus incredible grip on ice... sounds like the perfect combination for Vancouver's relatively mild winters.

alan s 

+1

You may be able to find a deal at biketiresdirect. Usual price per tire is around $60, but sometimes they are further discounted to around $50 a piece.

jefferee

The definitive encyclopedia of studded tires can be found here: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

The W106 and Marathon Winter seem to be the usual recommendations on this board. Stick to Nokian or Schwalbe tires because they have carbide studs--the steel ones can wear down in a matter of months on bare pavement.

If money were no object, the Marathon Winters are probably the best bet in Vancouver but you should be able to get by on the Nokians as well.

Shawnrs

When you lived in Vancouver did you use studded tires ? Its one of those one ice patch with studs will justify the purchase. I just have to make the decision to part with the cash....
So far its $62 for BTD and $74 Peter White (who I'd rather support).
Thanks again.

afwen

I'm happy with my Kenda Klondike.

yarb

For me, it's not worth getting studded tires for Vancouver. In my experience black ice is very rare here. I did wipe out on some last December, but that was partly my fault. I just ride real slow and cautious in those conditions, and have a bright front light to illuminate any dodgy patches.

For maybe 10-15 commuting days a year when it's even a risk, it's not worth the outlay. But it's a personal thing.

irclean

Unfortunately my Vancouver days were in the late 60's. I did, however, live on the Island during my teen years so I am familiar with PNW weather. When we get similar weather here (mild, wet days with moisture that freezes overnight) the roads get plenty slick, but I truly feel confident on my Marathon Winter tires. I just have to remember to be mindful when I put my non-studded foot down not to place it on ice lest I end up doing the splits with my bike crashing down under me. I plan to pick up some YakTrax for my boots this year to supplement my well-equipped winter bike. Admittedly the tires aren't the greatest for deep or slushy snow, but for the majority of my winter riding they are just fine. They should be just fine for Vancouver winters, and when the spring comes you will absolutely feel like you're flying when you put the slicks back on.

BTW my LBS charged me ~ $75 CAD a piece for my Marathons... support your LBS! Don't forget that if you order from the States you'll have to pay shipping.

Yaktrax: https://www.yaktrax.com/walker

Shawnrs

Any opinions, experience, or links reguarding TopContact Winter II? Hype?

vtjim

Just a quick note: If most of your riding is going to be on pavement that isn't iced, you'll likely eat the studs on cheap tires unless you're happy changing tires when you know there's ice. (And/or risking NOT changing tires and encountering ice.)

Studs are awesome for riding carefully on ice, but the durable ones are generally more expensive.

gerv 

For your use, I would think about a low stud count, slimmer tire like the Nokian A10 which comes in a 32mm width.

Peter White seems to see them for $52 a pair. If you can't afford two, put one on the front... although two are preferable.

I couldn't find any at MEC, which surprised me.

ItsJustMe

I've got a pair of Marathon Winters I'll sell for a good price. They're fantastic on black ice, but lousy on snow. I have to go through snow where I am, and want to get a pair of Nokian W240s instead. PM me if you're interested. They're in very good shape, I can send you photos and mileage history.

alan s 

I'm all for supporting Peter White, who has taken the time to provide very useful information on his website, but I'm not willing to pay an extra $60 to buy from him (or my LBS). When I checked biketiresdirect last week, they were selling Schwalbe Marathon Winters for just over $100 a pair, which included free shipping. The same tires from Peter White would have run $150 plus shipping. Since the OP appears to have limited financial resources, I'd rather see him get the studded tires he wants, and consequently safer ride, than doing without or buying tires that aren't ideally suited for the riding conditions.

irclean

Agreed... but BTD's free shipping applies only to shipments within the United States. Our OP lives in Canada and BTD will charge $22.58 for shipping to Vancouver. With their current price of 62 bucks a piece for Marathon Winters and the exchange rate he's looking at close to $150. He might as well support his LBS, assuming they can get the tires for around $75 a piece.

alan s 

That doesn't sound fair to our northern neighbors, but I guess someone has to pay full retail for the rest of us to get a good deal. Kind of like pharmaceuticals, but in reverse.

porq

I live in Vancouver as well and I've been running the Marathon winters from Dec. 1 to Mar. 1 for the past 2 winters and LOVE them. Sure they're noisy and slow me down, but on those black ice mornings I can literally stand on my pedals on the ice. I will never go through the winter without them again. To give you an example, I ride along the 37th corridor and can stand on my pedals going up 37th to Knight St. On cold mornings, that hill is completely iced up and it's no problem with the Marathons.

These are one of the best investments I've ever made for winter riding and don't regret them for a moment.

irclean

There ya go; straight from the horse's (i.e., fellow Vancouverite) mouth.

spinninwheels

I rode year round in Vancouver from '03-'09 and the only thing that I did was swap my 700-28 for 700-35 (Continental TT-2000). For 5 years I lived at 16th and Dunbar and I never had any problems with black ice. But they usually salt Alma and 16th pretty quick if there are any problems with road conditions because of those hills.

My friend in east Van (53rd and Elliot) however hit black ice a few times. But I think that she was at a higher elevation, plus further from the water. Which does seem to have an effect on how quickly roads can ice. We both worked downtown by the way.

So, depending on where you are - I would consider it. But it's not a necessity. Commonsense and allowing a little more time for commuting when conditions necessitate, with the wider tires at a lower pressure, has worked for me.

By the way, the worst that I ever had seen the major roads in Vancouver was Christmas Eve day a couple of years ago...



this was in the morning (around 5:30am), but in the afternoon, west Broadway was so rough with built up ice and slush, it was like riding on a rocky beach.

bugly64

That photo brings back memories of Great Falls, Mt. I rode with studs till May there. I was fortunate to find some studs at the Helena Walmart for $15 a piece in the clearance area.

Shawnrs

Thanks to all for replying.

One the great things about living in Vancouver is the fact the border is 30mins away. I called and emailed 4 LBS. 3 told me I was looking at nearly $80 dollars each. HST not included. Tires direct for example is $62 usd. Free shipping to Point Roberts. Have not had to pay duty yet.
I am still hunting around for prices.
I want to support the LBS's but it really hard when I can't see why there is such huge price difference. I mean where is the bike shop buying them from?


Against thanks for the input.

yarb

Curious about how you're taking delivery in PR - do you have a friend there or a PO box, or how does it work?

Shawnrs

I use the
https://www.thelettercarrier.com/
You ship to them. pay $3 or close to that. Its 1 min from the border on the right. There are other places in that same area but I have never dealt with them.
Take your reciept to show the border guard on the way back. Don't expect a packing slip. Its not worth smuggling. Don't forget you reciept thinking you can devalue the item. They will just look it up on the internet.

wunderkind

^ man, biking through Ladner/Delta to Twsawassen is horsecrap. How does one get through Massey Tunnel? I don't think bicycle is allowed.

porq

I'm not sure why you brought up biking through the Massey Tunnel in this thread, but there is a bike shuttle:

https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topi...sey/massey.htm

yarb

Excellent, thanks! I had no idea it was so simple and cheap.