Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any information or review of the innova studded tires. Since I dont have a ton of cash right now, and my sister, the one not making me panniers, is considering what to get me for christmas, I figured the Innova's would be in her price range. Honestly, if I would be just slightly better off than with my knobbies, ill stick with the tires I have. I will be commuting 10 miles both ways on roads this winter, and while we dont get huge amounts of precipitation, it can get cold and damp at times, here in pennsylvania. There is also a place where trucks cross the road, leaving a lot of moisture over a 40' section, towards the end of a slight descent. The nokians are out for this year, and the Nashbars are pushing $90 with deliver. Bike tires direct has the innova's for $25 a piece. Any advice would be welcome here.

Also, if I do get these, should I ride them before I hit the ice to break them in?

I don't have experience with Innova's studded tires, but I can say I bought one of their bmx tires once and it was a total piece of crap. $25 is cheap, but I wouldn't buy one until I'd heard a credible review.

I posted about those tires in the winter forum a few hours ago. No response so far. I went ahead and bought a pair. I researched it a bit today and general consensus was that Nokians are better but geez they're pricey. Reviews of some of the older Innovas were that the studs wore out quickly. I don't know how carbon steel of these Innovas compares to carbide but I guess I'll find out. I'm prepared to get the tool and some studs to do some replacement if necessary. I got mine for 25 each.

I did read at least one post where someone was thrilled with their performance.

If they are anything like the Innova studded tires I had THEY SUCK! The studs wear to nothing on any sort of dry pavement, the rubber is very hard this having poor traction on snow and ice, and the studs have no sharp point rendering them almost useless on glare ice. After going Nokian I'lll never go back, the difference is like night and day. You are better off with 1 Nokian (on the front) and a decent nobby on the back rather than two Innova's IMO.

If I had any plans of riding on ice, I'd want studded tires. Knobbies (much like standard car tires) are worthless on ice. I commute in northern Delaware/southeastern PA where we often get freezing rain along with snow. I commuted last year using Nokian studded tires and only had issues in deep powder where something really wide would be nice but mostly impractical for my commute. On ice and packed snow, I felt like I was on regular pavement.

+10000000000000000

Stay away from the Innovas and buy Nokian. I can't even give away my Innovas.

ok, ill avoid the innova. Maybe I can talk someone into spending $100 on me for christmas. Ill just tell them that Ill probably maimed if I dont have them.

Wait a minute. The innova's have replacement studs and a tool available. I have no Idea why the studs would need to be sharp as it is your weight that will push them into the ice.

Like I said, I saw at least one poster who liked them. They may not be as good as the Nokians but at almost 1/3 of the cost I was willing to give them a try. After I ride them, I'll post a review.

After doing a search, it seems those with studded tire experience say to stay away from the Innovas.

I wore an innova out in 6 weeks last winter - the studs are all flat. Pretty worthless unless you are riding only on ice or snow, no pavement.

If you don't want to shell out the money for the Nokians (I have a Hakka 120 in front - been riding it for a month and the studs are still sharp), you might want to try the Schwalbe Snow Stud - I have one in back and it seems pretty good - for about half the price. If you are in the US there are a few dealers shipping Nokians for about $50 a piece - though the shipping killed it for me, and I picked up the Schwalbe instead.

innova makes better frisbee golf discs than tires.

I've heard a number of people who said the studs wore fast. How fast in terms of miles? I've only heard those that say weeks or months or seasons.

+1 I really only ride 30 miles a week in the winter. I would like to know if these will last that long.

At only 30 miles per week, an Innova may last 2-3 weeks on the front wheel. On the rear wheel: maybe one if you are lucky.

The problem with the Innovas is that studs are made of soft steel, so they are only good if you ride on snow banks. They wear quickly on ice and they litterally melt on asphalt. And the tires themselves are made of very hard compound which is very slippery, so the "tractor treads" might be good in mud, but not on ice.