Hi all,
Just passing on the info.
I sent an inquiry to Conti. regarding their new Top Contact Winter II. Below is my question and answer. Looks like I am still buying studded. I thought this tire was supposed to be based on a studdless ice tire like that on a car. Which are nearly equal to studded if not, in some reviews better.

My Question:
Top Contact Winter II
How does this tire compare to a studded tire on clear, cold roads that will
have ice (melt, freeze puddles) and or black ice?


Answer:
Hello Shawn,

Certainly this is a bit of apples and oranges. The Top Contact Winter II
relies upon automotive design and a combination of rubber compound and
siping in the tread pattern. Significantly better than a standard all-season
tire, with the added benefit of being able to ride on dry road as well
without destroying expensive studs. On the other hand, in the most extreme
conditions, nothing replaces the function of a carbide stud.

Personally, I feel having the ability to ride on a wider variety of
condition without thinking of the tire, makes the Top Contact Winter II a
better all-around choice.

Enjoy the Ride

I bought a Conti TopContact Winter expecting what you heard in their response, regarding performance. My intention is to use it when there is plenty of bare pavement and just some ice patches. I'll report once I get some practical experience, but snow and ice are here slow in coming.

My last set of Nokian studded tires lasted 6 seasons, until the sidewall wore out. The carbide studs were still in fine shape, even with considerable time on dry pavement (spring and fall).

In other news, automotive design relies upon carbide studs in conditions Shawn described in his question (ice). Friction winter tyres (no studs) for cars don't fare well on ice although they do excel in most other conditions.

This is a common misunderstanding. Carbide studs will NOT suddenly disintegrate when put in contact with bare pavement. One of the benefits of quality studded tyres is not having to worry about the studs. I've commuted on a pair of Nokian W106s many years in mixed conditions. Every year they get some mileage on bare pavement, as I like to err on the safe side during the transition from fall to winter and again to spring. Studs are still doing fine. I suspect the tyre will give up before the studs go.

Having said that, I'll admit that rolling resistance of the W106s is, well, noticeable. As is the sound they make on bare pavement.

--J

That sound is one of my favorite winter sounds. It's the sound of my bike transformed from some wispier road contraption to a two-wheeled tank. Most importantly, it's the sound of me riding all year, while less-fortunate others perch discontentedly on trainers in stale air.

Sounds like these contis would be a great choice for those of us who are outside the snow belt, and therefore spend 90% of the winter on clear roads, but still get enough snow and ice to warrant some sore of winter tire, if we want to keep riding. I'll be very interested in 2_i's review.