Originally Posted by Rhodabike (Post 16273392)

I'm wrestling with mine now. It means taking off the fenders and trying to get that *%@!?@@! Alfine non-turn washer into the dropouts. I don't remember it being this hard the last time. And does anyone else have trouble inserting the brake disk into the calipers without them binding and catching?

Originally Posted by blakcloud (Post 16274525)

That's got to hurt. Hope you are ok.

Originally Posted by xtrajack (Post 16274018)

I would almost rather carry 90lbs., on my Xtracycle, than ride with the studded tires. They are a godsend on icy roads though.
I agree with the pedaling through mud thing, nice accurate description, of what it feels like riding with studded tires.

Originally Posted by PaulH (Post 16274537)

Given the forecasts. it might well be next week. Last year, they didn't go on until January.

Originally Posted by Bizman (Post 16275270)

I am not taking off my fenders to put tires on, why do you? I have never had problems with the non turn washers on my Allfine 11, why do you? I don't have any problems removing and replacing a rear wheel with my Allfine 11. My rotor goes right into my caliper no problems. One tip I could offer if it apples to you is to remove your singulator as this made things MUCH EASIER! I use the Allen wrench to remove it and tighten it and I use an 18 mm cone wrench to adjust the tension, simple!

Originally Posted by ShartRate (Post 16273780)

I mounted the studded tires last night and rode to lab to break them in a little. A balmy 15F outside right now! Didn't see any ice, but better safe than sorry if I'm going to ride after dark. You guys who say the studded tires are only a little slower, I call BS! I have the Nokian A10's, which are supposed to be "fast", but I feel like I'm pedaling through mud. But, as I said earlier, I guess it's okay, I needed the exercise.

Originally Posted by ShartRate (Post 16276409)

Need to thank you guys into talking me into swapping the tires the other night - this morning we're getting an (unexpected to me) dusting of snow. While I don't think the studs helped me much this morning, though the winter compound might have, if the pavement freezes before I have to go home I'll be glad I have them!

Originally Posted by dynaryder (Post 16277749)

What bike do you have? What bike does Rhodabike have? If Rhodabike has track ends,then you prolly would need to pull the fender to get the wheel out. How the rear dropouts are set up would also determine how easy it would be to line up the rotor in the caliper. The rear spacing also makes a difference. It wasn't a big deal to spread the frame open on my old 130 sapced ti cross bike to get a 135 spaced wheel in,but if I had to line up non-turn washers to do it,it might've been a serious PITA.

If you're using a Singulator,it sounds like you have vertical dropouts. That makes things alot easier than track ends or semi-horizontals.

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 16277871)

No BS with Schwalbe Marathon Winters; not even only a little slower, but minimally slower.

You can trust me, because as a Man of Science, I work in a lab too. :innocent:

Originally Posted by tjspiel (Post 16273125)

I debated on Thursday morning since the temp was supposed to drop and snow was predicted for the afternoon. Figured it would be slush at worse but I was wrong. So the touch of road rash on the side of my face will serve as a reminder that skinny road tires and ice don't mix.

Note to self: Avoid landing on your face.

It would have been more embarrassing if the guy 30 feet behind me hadn't fallen too.

Originally Posted by ShartRate (Post 16279977)

What's the maximum pressure on those? My Nokians only go up to 60psi, and me at 260 pounds they are on the studs all of the time :D

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 16280119)

I keep them at about 65 psi, no matter what the conditions, and I'm a heavy rider too. Probably about 95% of my riding is on dry or wet roads, vs about 5% on icy or hardpack snow. Studded tires are going on this weekend; we had an unseasonable 19*F yesterday, and heavy rain predicted for tomorrow, though warmer temps.

Originally Posted by alan s (Post 16280198)

I think the max is 70 psi on the 26x1.75 MWs, which keeps the outer rows of studs off the ground, except when cornering. I run them at around 65-70 if black ice is the concern, and at 40 when needed, which greatly increases traction, as all the studs are engaged and the tire conforms better to irregular surfaces. However, they are noticeably slower at 40 psi, but who's in a hurry?

Originally Posted by Bluish Green (Post 16274159)

I put my studded tires on earlier this year than I did last year.

Last year I waited until late November, when it had gotten pretty ugly outside, to put them on. It was my first winter commuting, and the experience was not great. I developed tight hamstrings from fighting the studded tires too hard. I learned to stretch better, leave earlier, and spin in an easier gear on the studs.

This year, I put the studded tires on in late October. I intentionally did my first commute on them on a day when I wore shorts and winds were light and variable. And I left 10 minutes earlier than normal and took it EASY.

I'm glad I took that approach this year. Yes, they are a lot more work pedaling, but I got my body adjusted to the increased workload well before the slop hit the roads. I know some of the more experienced members of this Forum have a different approach, but I plan to tackle it this way every year now on. It works for me.