What do you DC area commuters think about Studded tires. Are they overkill here or essential? I hope to commute all winter, but I don't want to waist my money if you all think I can get buy without them.

I never used them in 2 years of DC winter commuting. DC does not get the ice covered roads that studs are needed for.

Oh really?

These two Newfoundlands are almost two feet at the shoulder, and they're pretty much on TOP of last winter's snow:



If you're committed to bike commuting no matter what, get some studded tires. You'll almost certainly need them a few times at least over any given winter.

Snow doesn't necessarily require studs.

I've ridden after snow storms have dumped a couple feet on Denver. Didn't need studs.

If you ride the trails, like the W&OD, Custis, MVT, etc they're not bad to have. Most of the trails around here aren't cleared so it's go studs or go Metro. And we do get more ice than snow around here.

I am mostly worried about the bridges, especially the Fredrick Douglas Bridge (FDB). I am on the trails for a short bit, but I could always ride on the road when the don't plow the trail. The FDB is a concern because the path is narrow and the bridge itself is a cheese grader.

You can get away without them as long as you take it easy on ice or don't ride on days when ice is present. However, I use the Schwalbe Marathon Winters on a second set of wheels, so they are at the ready when needed. My route is 95% MUPs, so if I want to ride as often as possible, studded tires are great. They are rather heavy and slow tires for everyday use.

Almost essential. For the past eight years, I've put them on in December and taken them off in March. DC is freeze and thaw country. Nokian W-106.

Paul

+1 on the Nokian W-106
they are a bit heavy but rolling resistance is not bad. DC is still freeze/thaw country esp. in morning and evening. weather reports are not accurate all the time - extra security of studs are worth it. you might ride them for two or three months tops; but be glad you have them at some point. all you need is one patch of ice in traffic for trouble..

Thanks all, I just bought a pair of Nokian W-106s based on your recommendation from biketiresdirect for $85 including shipping.

Good idea. The freeze-thaw is the whole problem in DC. There are almost always icy patches for days after a snowstorm. In all, it won't be too many days that you'll need studs, but be glad to have them when you do need them. Personally, I do not own any, and will just take the bus if conditions warrant. Enjoy the cool riding weather!

There was light ice on my bridge this morning... not enough to warrant studs, but enough to make me think about needing winter tires later in the season...

I generally think of them as not being worth it. I've only been bike commuting for lass than two years now, so only one full winter, but I have lived in the area for 10 of the last 15 years or so. Given the weather conditions most years, I think I would miss on average one or two days a year due to ice. Given that, I think it's probably just easier to take metro for a couple days. Besides, I know as soon as I buy a set of studded tires, there will never be snow or ice in DC ever again.

In that case, I'll chip in for a set for you.

+1

I have been using them for two seasons. I find they give me 3-4 weeks of extra bike commuting (in installments of a few days here and there), plus a little more surety for another couple of weeks worth. I ride on the CCT and there is ice that lingers in the shade long after most streets are clear - enough that for me it would be a deal-breaker without studs. The impact might be less if my route was different; I can't imagine it being much more.

I would wait for a sale on studded tires. Last year's winter was an abberation. Remember the Obama inauguration 2 years ago? It was sub 32 degrees cold alot, but I don't recall it ever icing up where I would think about needing studs.

Awesome! Thanks!

Actually, I don't mind a little snow and ice now and then, so maybe it's best if I just don't get any. I wouldn't want it to stop forever. I spent my teenage years in Hampton Roads, and I always missed the snow down there vis-a-vis my earlier childhood years in western Pennsylvania.

That winter was also an abberation.

Most winters get several 4-8" snowstorms with lots of thawing and refreezing. The average high temperature never gets below freezing (and might never get below 40F), but the average low temperature in Dec, Jan, and Feb is below freezing.

And they're calling for 25 degrees tomorrow morning after an inch or so of rain today. You think there will be no ice?

Realistically though, our weather is like sex. You really never know for sure what you're going to get or how long it'll last

Actually, I think the Trex-covered bridges on the local MUPs can be a lot more treacherous - those plastic boards get REAL slick when they have a coating of frost on them.

I agree you'll most like have ice, but equating freezing rain with sex.... that's sick.

Ohh, don't even go there. The little one on the W&OD by Little Falls/Fire Station is going to be the death of me yet. That's one's pressure treated lumber and it gets SLICK!

It certainly depends on how much you really want to commute. I only do my long commute on the MUPs (22 miles roundtrip) once per week on average in winter and think studs would be unnecessary for that. I realize others want to go every day so you'd probably need studs. I've never had much of a problem picking the day I ride with the most optimal weather when only riding once a week. My short (1.5 mile one way) to the subway on streets I've nearly always been able to do a few days after it snowed although it's not always fun.

Ice from rain I've never found much of a problem as the MUPs I ride drain fairly well. Also you tend to get very familiar with where you ride and know exactly where the water pools up and hence where it might freeze so you usually ride around those few spots. There is also a spot on the Mt. Vernon trail where the water drains from a higher elevation and tends to freeze but again I know that and expect it and have walked around it on the grass if need be.

Regarding the wooden bridges, I've never had a problem if I just keep my tires moving in a straight direction and make no sudden moves. No wooden bridges on my commute are that curvy so I've never had a problem.

The problem I have had is after snow, in some shaded spots, there will be long narrow strips of ice that form with no relation to where the water drains. But again after a few years, you recognize the spots where it is shaded.

I don't have to use any of the MUPs, but since it'll get icy, and I don't have any studded tires, I won't be riding on any of them. And it hasn't even snowed yet.

Oh yes, I remember. My girlfriend at the time was a member of the Army Field Band and was marching in it. I rode up to see her march. While crossing the 14th street bridge someone was drunk with cold and pulled her scarf over her eyes as she rode the other way. She ran into me and smashed my hand. After that I waited to see my GF, however I dressed up enough to ride my bike not to stand around. I have never been so cold. I wasn't sure that I could ride home so I tried to get on the metro without luck. I did make it home, but I couldn't feel my extremities.

The Potomic was almost solid ice that day.