Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
Have you seen the 45nrth Xerces?
Supposedly if you inflate it at high pressure the side studs stay off the ground, only contacting the ground if you start to slip or end up in a rut. If you need the studs to be more aggressive you can run them at lower pressure and they'll always be in contact with the ground.
45NRTH
I haven't tried them though, just reading them, but it sounds a lot like what you might be looking for - a tire with no stud contact when inflated to high pressure and you're travelling straight ahead.
Studded 'Xerxes' bike tire Grips on snow and Ice
You can adjust the air pressure to change the nature of the tire. At around 75 psi, the tire rolls fast and the studs do not touch down. Let out some air, to about 35 psi, and the rubber can smoosh in more, adding traction and allowing the studs to consistently engage on the ground.
Marathon Winters are similar(ly advertised). Using them that way.
However, I'm considering putting only one studded up front and putting a non-studded one in the rear (but still knobby, winter tyre). That way I'm guessing I'll be safe when braking and going straight, while I might have to take cornering slower on ice (but not on snow).
I know most people here advise against just one studded, but we get like 20 days of snow per year, with it being 2 days snow, then one day ice, then melts, stays dry for a week, then day or two again. But you can never tell in advance. Most we get is 10 days in a row, maybe 2 weeks but not every winter.
I have only one winter bike (room and budget). So I decided to try knobby rear for the whole winter, and get an extra front tyre so I can swap studded and regular road tyre, depending on the morning view from my window. After the winter is over, just swap the rear tyre for a road one too.