Originally Posted by Blue Jays
I guess if it's literally meltwater sitting atop a smooth sheet of glass...two wheels will always be a challenge regardless of what kind of tire is utilized. Do they suggest those carbide tips for general offroad use as well...simply for increased "bite" onto whatever surface one is riding? From a conceptual standpoint, it seems like they would be great on snow, ice, hardpack dirt, and mud.
Flat hard ice with a little water on it is very easy with the right studded tires. There is great traction. The flater and harder the ice the more traction, colder ice is better. Slaming on the brakes, banking, wheelies etc. not a problem on glare ice like glass. The hard flat surface lets the studs hit the ice more evenly and holds the studs from slipping around on the ice. Softer ice is not as good with studs. Very bumpy frozen footsteps are no problem if you keep the bike upright and the tire pressure is low enough. It's hard to believe on the first ride.
I can tell the difference in some 112 stud tires compared to the 296 stud tires. The traction is a lot better on bumpy or angled surfaces. It's well worth the extra studs. There are studs up on the sides of the tread where the tire contacts the ice when banking or angled ice. And more in the middle too.
Studded tires are the same as knobbies in snow. Much, much, better on hardpack dirt. Not as good on pavement, but not a problem either. Lousy when climbing over rocks.