Mr. Jim

Looking for a good deal on studded tires for this winter. It appears Nashbar no longer carries their own brand. Anyone got a good suggestion? I'm trying to get in around the $20 mark, is this unreasonable?

Cyclist0383

Yes, it is unreasonable. Nokian are really the only studded tire worth using. Buy a pair and use them for the next five winters; it'll be much less expensive than buying a cheap pair every year.

filtersweep

I have never used Nashbars, but my Nokian extremes are safer than walking. Good tires are cheaper than a broken collar bone, too.

tsl

FWIW, since the upgrade of the Nashbar site, it shows only items that are presently in stock. Even their chain lube disappeared for a while when they were out. They may carry studded snows again this year, but they're not yet in stock. If you have your heart set on cheap winter tires, just keep checking back.

All reports around here indicate the Innova tires (who I think makes the Nashbar ones) are a single-season tire. If you just want to try it out and upgrade next year if it works for you, then that's one way to do it.

Otherwise, the Nokians are the way to go. Near as I can tell from one season on mine, five or more seasons isn't out of line. That makes them real cheap when the cost is annualized. If I get only five seasons out of mine, they'll cost me $20 per *pair* per season. (And since then, I've found them for even less than what I paid.)

bac

+ Many

... Brad

rohmen

This may be a stupid question, but I have not commuted during the winter yet. Do you throw the Nokians on as soon as the first threat of ice comes around and then leave them on until spring, or do you switch them out on assuredly nice days to preserve the studs?

bent-not-broken

I'll be a little bit of a contarian here. I bought 26" Nashbar studded tires during their end of the year blow out a couple of years ago and paid less than $30 for the pair. They still look and work fine after two years of Wisconson winter commuting. My commute is short at only 10 miles round trip but I have no compalints. I believe ICE BIKE tested studded tires and rated the Nashbar version as OK.

Mr. Jim

Ok I get the picture, Spring for the Nokians. Pretty sure i just need the front. I'm trying to avoid a couple of unfortunate tumbles i took last year when the front wheel went out from under me on ice.

Cyclist0383

I usually put mine on in late November/early December and leave them on until late March/April. Other's in less icy climates change them as needed.

Cyclist0383

It sounds to me like you are trying to justify saving money. While understandable, your health isn't nearly as cheap as a tire. I run both front and rear and would suggest the same for you.

Do you have 26' or 700c wheels on your winter cycle? I have 700c, and find that the less expensive 106 stud tire does a wonderful job. I wouldn't want to use a tire with more studs, and the beginning of my commute is literally on a road which is a sheet of ice.

bac

Yup, get just the front if you don't want to spend the $$$ on both. I have a set of Nokians mounted on a spare set of tires. However, I run only the front on most days. When it gets ugly (read: icy), I strap on the rear as well.

... Brad

sumguy

I emailed Nashbar about their studded tires because they had good reviews along with Nokian and Schwalbe. Their response is that they will no longer carry the Nashbar brand. Time to hunt down a pair of Nokian Hakkapelitta W106.

nopinkbikes

Do you find just running the front to be almost as good for traction?

Portis

Running the front will help prevent the most catastrophic of crashes, which is the front wheel, wash out and subsequent face plant. When the rear wheel gives out it tends to give you a more controlled crash since you haven't lost your steering. But it's still a crash.

I ran Nokian Mount & Ground W160's last year and was fairly happy with them. Before that i had the Nashbar's. Actually i think the nashbar's were a bit better because of the added studs on the sides. I noticed a wee bit of slipping on the rear last season with the mount and grounds. But still for road riding, these are a very good compromise.

The very aggressive tires like the Extreme's are designed for off road, and have a lot more resistance.

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

PaulH

Running just the front is just as good when it comes to staying upright. However, you lose out in traction. If your bike has a strong rear weight bias, running just front studs drastically cuts rolling resistance. However, don't expect to climb hills.

Paul
(who lives on a hilltop)

Mphetameme

Also be sure to read the instructions that come with the tires. My Nokian 360s had to be ridden on dry pavement for (from memory) 30 km or so to drive the studs in a bit. I'm coming up on my third season with this pair and they still have lots of traction.

SCREEM

I run th Mount&Ground Nokkian just in the front, it will get you trough icy ruts and stuff, I leave the rear regular for some fishtailing fun.

ghettocruiser

I ended up getting folding tires (both slicks and studs) to take with me, and leaving a floor pump at work.

Too much clattering along on dry roads on studs and/or getting caught in a snowstorm without them.