Bike Forums - View Single Post - Do I need studded tires? (DC/MD/VA)

11-12-12 | 06:01 PM

#6

redeyedtreefr0g

Mrs. Hop-along

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 338

Likes: 0

From: Seville, FL

Bikes: Ladies Schwinn Super Sport and Gateway

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

You'll know you need studded tires if you find yourself slipping and falling over on the ice.

Or frost. Most of my 5 falls last year were on very thin nearly unnoticeable layers of frost on the road pavement. Only 2 falls were on the days I brazenly rode to work (and had a blast doing it!) with compacted snow resembling ice.
It took me 3 times to learn that temperature can vary wildly from what the thermometer says over even a short 3 miles commute, so just because the mercury is above freezing (even a long way above) that doesn't mean you're in the clear. In slippery conditions be careful when you set a foot down because the bike has better traction than your sneakers. That's true even of skinny slick tires, which I had.

Falling hurts, but I'm more worried about the landing than the actual fall itself. I'm very happy to have not seen the inside of a hospital from a patient's perspective, I'd like to keep it that way. Plus, having your bike skidding like that down the asphalt really hurts my feelings- poor Zoomie has battle scars from our first winter, successful though it was.

I went ahead and re-installed the screws I tried last year- they just got me to work and back over several icy rutted bridges without a single problem. They made my bike feel a little bit "funny". As if maybe my front wheel really preferred to stay straight upright instead of turning, perhaps? I got used to it quickly. It was also harder to pedal from the slight added resistance of the studs. My tires are normally slick, so that result was expected for the added texture. The sound doesn't bother me at all- it's better than studded care tires, I think.

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