mitchogden

This is my first winter riding. All that has been posted about studded tires has been really exciting, but my SS commuter bike rolls on 27" wheels. This question was asked in an old 2005 thread and the only recommendation given was to ride slightly knobby Kenda cross/hybrid tires.

But I wonder: in the last two years have any new 27" winter tire solutions emerged?

My commute is short (just 2 miles), but I'm hoping to ride more in winter once I get the hang of it on my commute.

effigy

According to Peter White Cycles:

This page was updated last week.

Sixty Fiver

You can always stud your own tires...

I was very happy running Tioga Bloodhounds (27 inch studless) last winter and they got me through some of the harshest winter weather and offered some excellent traction.

mitchogden

I took a look at them. They look pretty good. Any problems in fresh snow with snow filling the tread (and becoming slicks at the absolute worse time)? I can't tell from the photos how deep the treads are, but some have advised me to avoid anything that is too knobby because they'll pack the snow in and undermine the traction. What's your experience say about tread depth in the snow? But maybe, without any studded options, I'll just have to deal with that on snow days.

Thanks.

Sixty Fiver

I find that tread compound is really important as you want your tires to stay gooey when the weather turns south and found that the Tiogas shed snow and crud fairly well.

I'm now running some 700:35 Schwalbe CX Compe tires on my cross / commuter which was running 27 inch wheels and the Tiogas last year and am hoping they work just as well.

Skinnier tires do have a higher downward pressure and float less than wider mtb tires and this in itself aids in traction.

andmalc

"Skinnier tires do have a higher downward pressure and float less than wider mtb tires and this in itself aids in traction."

Thank you for this description. I was wondering why my MB with standard wide knobby tires drifts about as much as the snow itself. It also bogs down when pushing through a snow bank.

Another bike running 38-700's handles better and cuts through the snow mounds as long as they aren't too deep.

Lowering the pressure in the MB tires helps but they have to go way down to be as good at the 38-700's at normal pressure.

mitchogden

Just to report back on the buying research I have done after the helpful suggestions posted in this thread:

Otherwise, I can't find anything else that offers aggressive tread for 27" wheels. Hopefully this will be helpful to the next person who has this question. With so many older road bikes resuscitated as SS commuters, I won't be surprised if more people aren't looking for help on snowy roads. We are having the second snowfall in a week here in Minneapolis today. Maybe we'll have one more good old-fashioned winter before climate change overtakes us all.

But all this has me thinking that if I want a really aggressive ride for the snow and ice, a conversion to 700c is probably in order. For now that will have to wait until there is more time and more money available.

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful suggestions.

Tequila Joe

I'v been using Tioga Bloodhounds on my Bianchi for the last 3 winters and they work very well in all conditions except black ice.(I have a bruise to prove that!) I even purchased an extra set last year in case they were discontinued.

The mec in Toronto still has some in stock so better hurry.
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1196867246166

edzo

for reference

Nokian 29 inch studded MTB tires are 622's

mitchogden

I'd start riding to Toronto now, but it snowed last night and all I have are these skinny, slick tires...

I've checked with my local shops, and none of their distributors carry the 27" Bloodhound. MEC seems to be the only place that has them. I've contacted Tioga to see if they are discontinuing the 27" model.

For now, I'm going with the Club Roost Cross Terra. Has anyone ridden those tires? I'll post my experiences after a few rides in the snow.

Tequila Joe

I beleive mec does mail order to the United States. You can use my membership number so you an save yourself $5. PM me if interested.

mitchogden

That's very generous. Re: the Bloodhounds, I learned that MEC has an agreement with Tioga that restricts them from shipping this product outside of Canada. Customer support at MEC told me about 25% of their inventory carries a similar restriction. I'll see how these Cross Terras work. If they suck, then maybe I'll get in touch to see if you want to be my Canadian middleman...

Tom Stormcrowe

Harris has some 27" Cross Terra in 27X1 3/8.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/630.html

mitchogden

Thanks for looking them up.

Cheaper at Universal Cycles by $9 USD per tire ($25 @ Harris; $16 @ UC). That's where I ordered them. They'll be in next week, and I'll report.