I have successfully used Nokian Hakkapeliitta studded tires on my MTB for years as a commuter durng the long winter months here. I completed a cross bike build this summer that I have been using to commute & trail ride. It's faster, lighter than the MTB and a lot of fun. I'd like to try some winter commuting with it.

I'll need to purchase a new set of rims to accommodate the tires. I'm planning on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106, 35mm tires. I'm running TRP canti's with plenty of wheel clearance in the frame and front fork. Any suggestions would be appreciated? I've attached a couple of pics.

Thanks

Your current rims should accommodate a 700x35. A 35 isn't that wide. If you want, or need, a second wheel set, why not go the what the bike has now? Less hassle when changing wheels.

Otherwise, I'd go with a set of Mavic touring rims or Salsa Delgados. I have both but the Mavics have a smoother brake surface. Build either with a set of XT hubs and you'll have great winter wheels.

I'm going to run Sun Rhynolites on XT hubs with a set of Hakkepeliita 700x35s this winter.

I was looking at the Sun's myself. They look pretty good and durable. I didn't want to use my good Ksryiums for winter riding. Does the rim weight look ok to you? They are on the heavy side, but I'm looking for durabiity. The rim braking surface looks huge

Thanks!

That's is one sweet ride! I don't ride my ksyriums in the winter either (they stay on the road bike in the garage.)

I have 2 sets of wheels for the my Cross check commuter, both single speed, Surly hubs w/ Mavic MA-3 Rims, And Formula hubs w/ Mavic CXP-22's. I've run the Nokian Hakkapeliita 106 35mm studded tires on both. They work great, I was concerned they wouldn't be wide enough, but they are.

Just be aware that getting tires on and off these Sun rims (CR 18 and rhynolites I have had both) can be a serious PIA. So much so that I got a set of Soma steel core tire levers. I currently use a a set of 700cc CR-18's w/ the 106 Nokians for winter riding. I had the Rhyno lites on another bike. I broke two plastic tire levers chaning tires before.

Wow. Is that 'cause of the tires or the rims? I had no problem putting schwalbe studded tires onto mavic 26" rims.

Yes. I too have a bikes w/ Mavic rims and have no trouble getting tires on and off. I read somewhere that Sun rims are a bit larger than other brands but I don't know if that is a fact or not.

Thanks! I've made a couple of changes to the Chili since those pics, and she's a great ride. I'm adding a 13-32 IRD cassette to match up w/ the road crankset. I should have great gearing for the hills and still have some top end. I use fenders when it's rainy out, but won't once it snows.

I'll check out the MA-3's. I have a pair of CXP's on one of my road bikes. They're bomb proof. I'm thinking the rim should be a standard road width so the tire remains narrow and cuts through the snow.

IMHO if you have the clearance, Fenders are good in the winter, maybe even more important. Icy cold puddles and melt water seem to occur more often than you'd think, Salt on the roads keeps things slushy and wet, at least in my world. Fenders help protect your drivetrain.

Also: Mavic discontinued the MA-3 so they are hard to find in NOS. That's the reason I ended up getting the CXP-22's instead for my extra set. They have the same exact rim width (20.2mm) so I'd have no brake adjustments when I swapped wheels. I like being able to run slicks in the winter during dry spells.

I'm quite fond of Mavic's touring rim, the A719. It's bombproof and the 106 fits on it just fine.

I went with Mavic Open Pros so I could migrate wheels around to the various 700C bikes. If I could find Open Sports locally, I would use those instead. I wouldn't worry about the weight of the rims [assuming you're trying to keep things light], since the tires weigh close to 2 pounds each. 50g at the rim isn't going to make a big difference.

Man, that's a nice looking bike. If you are winter commuting, show us what it looks like next spring...

Seriously, I'm not usually a sucker for bike porn but that paint job's gorgeous.

It rides better than it looks

A good wax before winter and arctic temps should keep it in pretty good shape. We don't get much water and the trails are pretty packed down. Maintenance is still high on the agenda. I'll keep you posted.