non-studded tires?
10-09-07, 10:15 AM
#26
ride for a change
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
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Minneapolis commuter here. Lot's of folks ride all winter here with out studs, especially messengers on track bikes. But as a commuter I've found the the Nokian (106 35mm) studded tires to be magically delicious on ice. Saved my ass every day I rode them. They plow roads and MUP's pretty well here, so snow isn't the problem, it's ice. It's under everything, the melt freeze cycle can be hard to predict.
BUT, like you I enjoy going fast, and I do not enjoy the extra rolling resistance of the knobbies and the studs. SO, I have 2 sets of wheels. As you know we can have long stretches of dry sunny weather in winter, and the streets and paths are bare. So I switch back to the wheels with slicks.
2 sets of wheels seems to be the ultimate solution. But I know it's spendy. IMHO ice is the dangerous nemesis around here and I think only studs give you an advantage on ice.
BUT, like you I enjoy going fast, and I do not enjoy the extra rolling resistance of the knobbies and the studs. SO, I have 2 sets of wheels. As you know we can have long stretches of dry sunny weather in winter, and the streets and paths are bare. So I switch back to the wheels with slicks.
2 sets of wheels seems to be the ultimate solution. But I know it's spendy. IMHO ice is the dangerous nemesis around here and I think only studs give you an advantage on ice.
10-09-07, 02:38 PM
#28
Senior_Member2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Finlando NOT: Orlando, Fl
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Bikes: Beater + Nishiki Bigfoot X-29
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I read some thing about only using the front... DON'T. I commute year round in Finland, and even W106's are not safe enough. On sheet ice that is a bit wet, your going down...i know i did.
I will be using the same W106 tires again this year. I was thinking of getting the new 29er nokians but they cost too much, and i don't want to use my 29er since it uses a derailer, and rim brakes.
My winter bike has a shimano 4speed hub with a drum break, and of course i have a rim break up front, but its not as usefully.
I have a single speed with hydraulic disk brakes, but they are in need of some serious bleeding and new pads/rotors. I really want to try it out this winter if i am able to fix it up.
I will be using the same W106 tires again this year. I was thinking of getting the new 29er nokians but they cost too much, and i don't want to use my 29er since it uses a derailer, and rim brakes.
My winter bike has a shimano 4speed hub with a drum break, and of course i have a rim break up front, but its not as usefully.
I have a single speed with hydraulic disk brakes, but they are in need of some serious bleeding and new pads/rotors. I really want to try it out this winter if i am able to fix it up.
