modernjess

Yeah, I ride Nokian W106 35mm. I got them 2 years ago, and they weren't making (or exporting) the A10's at the time and the Schwalbe's were really rare too. It's good to see a bunch more options are more available now. For my particular use and routes the Nokian tread is a bit more aggressive than I need it to be, but the studs are magical. When I replace them eventually I may look into somethign a little bit smoother.

Lurker1999

I finally pulled the trigger on a set of Schwalbe Marathon Winter 26x1.75 tires via Niagara Cycle Works via Amazon. Once the weather drops down to the point where I can expect ice I'll put them on and leave them on for the season.

tjspiel

Small world. It's about 2 blocks from me. I work in the same building that houses Moose and Sadies. I've haven't eaten at One on One yet but keep meaning to give it a try. It's very handy to have a bike shop so close.

FredOak

Lurker1999, let me know how long it takes to get your tires from them, they are like 45 minutes away from me and the last time I ordered something form them it took over 2 weeks (I ordered as gas was 4.50/gallon back then).

Boston Commuter

Here in Boston, as of last week, Bikes Not Bombs had plenty of Schwalbe Marathon Winter's and Nokian Mount and Grounds in stock.

I've got my Marathon Winters, I'll put them on when I see the first hint of ice on the road in the morning. First time using studded tires for me, I've always quit riding before when the ice appeared.

buzzman

thanks for the tip. What kind of price did they have for those tires? I might get a set for my wife's bike. I think I'll go one more season with my Nokian's- they're a work out but it's good for me.

ItsJustMe

3rd day on the Marathon Winters - it's clear to me that they roll MUCH easier than the Nokian W106s. They still ain't slicks by a long shot but they aren't total leg killers.

We'll see how the studs last, but assuming they're really carbide like the Nokians, well, the Nokian studs even after 3 years still weren't nearly worn down, but some had started to fall out in the last year. Also I had one stud push through to the INSIDE of the tire and cause a flat, so I was running with liners in that tire (a liner inside an already heavy tire...).

ItsJustMe

Peter White has them for $65. They have the Nokians for $50. I decided it was worth the extra because the Marathons have lower rolling resistance, twice the studs (extra rows farther out for climbing out of ruts, which causes me trouble every winter), and reflective sidewalls. So far I'm happy with the choice, and think the $30 extra for the pair was worth it.

Boston Commuter

Hi Buzzman -- I didn't check the price, because I had already ordered mine from Peter White, sorry. But you could give them a call.

ItsJustMe, I chose the Marathon Winters over the Mount and Grounds for those same reasons, even though they were more expensive. Having seen them both "in person" now, the M&G have a deeper tread, fewer studs, and they're made of a softer-feeling rubber.

Robobo1

I'm thinking of getting the Marathons as well. Rode in some slush/ice yesterday and it wasn't fun. These will be my first studs.

Boston Commuter - you feel like the Marathons were the right choice?

I think my commute will involve a mixture of plowed roads and slush/ice/packed snow.

Boston Commuter

Well, I guess I'll know soon -- first snow and hard freeze is predicted here on Monday and Tuesday next week. I will mount the tires this weekend.

I got the Marathon Winters for myself and a pair of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 240 for my husband. My commute is on paved paths and streets. His commute is partly on unpaved paths, and he said he'd accept some increased rolling resistance on dry days to get good traction in snow. This is the first winter on snow tires for both of us.

BTW, all the Nokian tires have that softer stickier rubber. The 240's have about the same number of studs as the Winter's. The tread on the 240's is a little deeper and more open than either the Marathon Winter's or the M&G's. I'll take a test ride on my husband's bike as well as my own, and post a comparative review after next week's snow.

madhouse

You missed out! A month ago I had my Hakkapellita W106s with only 365 miles on them on St. Clouds Craigs List. Sold em to a gal in Wyoming. I switched to a recumbent this year and had to switch to Schwables.

I wimped out on Wednesday morning... Too lazy to put them on Tuesday night... Couldn't convince myself to start the studs for the winter yet.

goalieMN

How big of a difference is the 17T compared to the 16T? I just put studs on my SS San Jose, and I am running a 42T front 16T back. Instead of switching out the front, I was thinking of just going to 18T on the back and seeing if that did alright. I have horizontal drops, so I may even get away without swapping the chain.

bmike

I run 42x16 with Pasela 32's during the fair weather months.
I run a 17/19 Surly dingle cog in the rear during the winter - (late fall to late spring...) when I run semi knobby cross tires. I'll use the 42x19 combo when I mount the W106s... probably next week.

That 18t will probably work - depending on the terrain. If the drops are long enough and you are pushed back in them now you'll probably be OK. On my CC I can use the dingle cog in both positions and get a 16 on there in the summer without changing my chain.

I'm a fan of 2 tooth jumps... not sure going to 17 will be that much difference when you switch up your tires.

modernjess

It's not big, but it helps. And when I switch to the 39T front that helps again about as much. I find the 39/17 ratio to be pretty usable in the winter with the studs. When you get a super heavy headwind and a lot of loose snow and pack though, man it can be f**king brutal. That's when I curse the single speed bike.

But now you've got me thinking about trying the 18T instead of doing the chain ring switch, probably about the same gain, but I'm not sure the dropouts are long enough to make the 2 tooth switch???? hmmmmmm ...scratching chin, maybe it's worth a try.

FredOak

Ordered my Marathon Winters this morning. And seeing as it is suppose to be snow and 20-30 next week, they will probably go on as soon as they arrive.

goalieMN

I just ordered an 18t and a new chain.

Scheherezade 

I know! I saw that ad one night, planned to call you the next day, and the listing had been removed.

That made me a sad panda.

sumguy

Same situation as ItsJustMe. Rain this weekend and freezing temps with snow tomorrow. Going to throw on the Marathon Winters just to be safe. Small chance of snow and rain later in week with temps up and down so who knows what ice hazards will be. Seems like the Marathon Winters are popular this year. BasicallyBicycles may have them <$60. Used the Hakka W106 last year and resistance wasn't that bad. New bike has 26" tires and the Schwalbe Marathon winters seemed like the best combination of features for city commuting. I'm lazy and will probably leave them on for the rest of the season.

Lurker1999

I placed the order via Amazon to Niagara Cycle works on the 11th. They confirmed the order on the 13th and the tires arrived today (15th). They ship with Fedex Home so adjust for those shipping times. Rain this weekend so I'm not sure when I should swap out tires. The high temps aren't bad but there are below freezing temps forecast which makes me worry about the freeze/thaw cycles.

FredOak

Good deal Lurker! They have seemed to have ironed out their mailing issues.
I ordered mine Friday got the shipping notice later in the day should be here next week.

Yea, our forecast sounds like that...
Sun 37° | 29° Mon 38° | 27° Tue 34° | 23°, So those boys are going right on as soon as they are here.

krater

My regular tires are 700X25 ... how wide can I go in studded tires? What would you recommend?

modernjess

Depends on your frame and the clearance. What are you riding? A lot of road bike frames would not have the room to run a 32 or 35mm studded tire, not to mention fenders. I know my road bike doesn't.

But, If you are wondering if wider is better, I'd say that depends on the prevailing conditions you ride in. For my particular commute and route I can't see how it would be advantageous for me to run anything wider than the 35's.

krater

Currently, a frankenbike, with fenders and what should be plenty of clearance. If my rims fit a 700X25 tire, what is the limit for wider tires? Probably any width studded tire would work - I'm in Northern VA - but I wonder what's possible.

Lurker1999

I put the tires on tonight. Changing out Marathon Plus 26x1.75 tires for Marathon Winter tires is pretty seamless. I did have to adjust one of the front brake calipers a little but otherwise it wasn't that hard. Pumped up to 70 psi they are quite heavy although I was using the Marathon Winters with a tire liner which was pretty comparable. The studs make a decent buzzing noise on dry pavement but it's tolerable. Clearance with Planet Bike Hardcore full fenders wasn't an issue on my bike without any adjustment.

With the Marathon Plus (with tire liner) I usually kept the chainring on the large 42t ring and started from a dead-stop using the 2nd largest ring on a Nashbar 12x28 7-speed cassette and would ride on the 4th ring most of the time. So far I'm keeping it about the same using the Marathon Winter tires.

Essentially they will slow you down but it's managable once you get used to it. I don't anticipate my trips taking longer than a few minutes after accounting for traffic light stops, etc.