Bike Forums - Black Ice

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnJ80 (Post 16262028)

Having ridden studs on ice (and driven them in a car) on ice, I don't agree.

J.

You can disagree all you want. The actual performance data, though, is clear. Top quality studless tires are better, except on ice, in a very narrow range of temperatures, centered on freezing. Twenty years ago, that wasn't true, but technology has improved.

The things that racers use on frozen lakes are different, with much longer spikes. They work, but destroy pavement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynodonn (Post 16253844)

Black Ice is a real problem for cars (out of control when you're in front of them on your bike) and I've had a few close calls on my bike too!
Anyone else have issues with black ice?

No reading comprehension fail here, the OP did ask if anyone else had "issues" with black ice, leaving the subject wide open.

Q. Anyone else have issues with black ice?
A. Studded tires.

http://epicfail.xepher.net/wp-conten.../epicfail1.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by dscheidt (Post 16263980)

Being an engineer, I get data. Being an engineer, I also get how data doesn't always match reality. I've ridden studded tires on ice from above freezing to near zero fahrenheit and there is little difference in how they grab (always good). I also live in a climate where we get major ice from November until April and where we get *real* black ice on the roads from car exhaust because it's too cold for salt or calcium chloride to work. If studded tires were allowed here, we'd all be using them on our cars as well as snowmobiles (for those of us that have then, I don't).

There is a difference if you have perfectly flat ice - think ice skating rink - but that isn't what icy roads or trails are like.

J.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyccommute (Post 16253582)

I think all of you are missing a central point to BicycleCrazy's post. Studs on your bike can make riding a bicycle in ice conditions ("black ice" is an over used term) possible. But studs do nothing for the cars that are around you. They don't even make it easier to get out of the way.

When it 'frizzles' (freezing drizzle) around here, it's time to take drive or take the bus. Being the 8 ball in a game of automobile billiards isn't good for preserving your 3rd dimension. Snow? I'll ride. Frizzle? Nope.

right

This is why, during the winter, I only ride on paths that are physically segregated with something likely to stop a car that's sliding my way (curb, parked cars, ditch, etc). I just do not trust people driving 4000 pound cars to pay attention, let alone drive safely in the winter. I won't put my life in their hands.

And I put Marathon studded tyres on my bike to help protect me from me.