Originally Posted by
Rick Smith
How much drag do studs cause? How much time would they add to, say, a 45 minute, 12 mile commute on dry pavement? I understand that they won't be used much (10% to 20% seems to be the norm for the winter). Is the tradeoff worth it? Or can you just be extra careful on days where ice is present and avoid having your entire winter slowed from the presence of studs?
I live in the Cleveland area where salt trucks de-ice everything all of the time.
Rick,
I've got a 7 mile, 33 minute commute nominally. When I put studs on, it increases my time a good 5 minutes. If I'm going through a lot of snow, it gets worse. I had a couple of 45 minute rides through 4 inches of snow. Note that my studs are wider than my regular tires, and they are knobby. Also, they recommend less pressure, too.
I ride on the metropark bike path on the westside, along Rocky River. That doesn't get shoveled to often--occasionally I'll ride the road. They maintain our roads well--as you know--but if you get sections that are in the shade you can get black ice. I know I'm safer with the studs.
I won't put them on at the first snowfall, but I will when it looks like snows are here to stay. They work great--you can safely ride through the winter. Without them, I'd hang it up.