Originally Posted by
MichaelW
If you ride with any dependance on tyre traction (ie lean, steer, road camber, slick tarmac, brake or balance recovery) you are going down fast.
Studded winter tyres are a solution but black ice can sneak in on otherwise clear and cold mornings when you might not be using studs. If your winter is long, cold and icy, you should be using studs the whole time. In more temperate climates, cold days can be exceptional and no-one wants to use studs if they don't have to.
Black ice may form on rough surfaces (unworn chip and seal) but this presents no real danger. You need a smooth surface to be really dangerous.
Note the micro-climates on your route esp cold spots where black ice can form.
That's why i usually avoid those tyre traction dependance moments if i can and it usually is just fine most of the time (no lean, no hard braking and only from the rear, no unecessary steering....)
My near fall event this winter was due to ice forming everywhere including in the middle of the street under the snow that lie in between the left and right car's wheels. It was steep from the middle and not flat. Without stud on that was fun
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