I like this story. Shows that cyclists aren't as incapable as many drivers believe. FWIW, I have had a set of Nokians on my winter bike for the last 4 years. They look like I should get at least a couple more winters. My winters are typically just under 1000 miles on studded tires, as we usually get a few breaks where I can go back to my summer bikes.

The non-studded vs. studded winter tyre debate has been going on for ages on car tyres. When they test the various tyres, the result is always the same there: on ice and hard packed snow, nothing works like a studded tyre. There are big differences in dynamics of bike tyre vs. car tyre (think hydroplaning for example), but on this point I think the result is the same, for rather obvious reasons.

In my mind the question of studded tyres comes down to whether or not you have ice or hard packed snow where you ride. If not, you're probably better off with aggressive knobby tyre with no studs.

--J

For some reason this led me straight to trying to put chains on a bike tire...

Somehow, I just don't think that's would work though, but it would be pretty fredly

hum, maybe if you had disc brakes?

Lost the pic but I saw a bike set up by someone for their commute. Knobbly tyred MTB and to get grip- he had put Zip Ties round the rim and tyre. I don't know if it worked but looked as though it would. And it was an old trick we used in the Marines on mud- we used 1" thick rope to give grip and it worked. Bit messy putting the rope through the wheel and tyre but it just gave that bit extra to get through deep mud.

Perhaps an even bigger difference in the dynamics is related to two wheels versus the stability of four.

IIRC there was even a pic of winter chains for bike on the Forums, ages ago. Chains are not street legal for cars where I ride, so the whole concept seems pretty weird to me.
True. I was referring to one tyre, you're talking about the vehiicle as a whole.

Zip ties are right up there with duct tape in my book - having a handleful around can solve all sorts of problems if you are creative enough.

Thanks

I think tough nylon cord might work, but I can't imagine how zip ties could work for that purpose in cold conditions. The material isn't designed for that kind of stress in the warmth, let alone the cold when they'd get brittle. I've broken many zip ties just in the process of using them for their intended purpose, in the cold - they are brittle and break easily when tightening them.

I bought a set of Schwalbe studded tires last spring and only used them a couple of times, mostly to make sure I did the miles to "set" the studs, but did go across a couple of icy parts. I plan to get out and see how confident I can be on hard pack and glare ice later this fall/winter.

Surely somewhere north-ish there's a sport that involves racing studded tire bikes on frozen lakes, right?

Chains.....

I've got an old set...they are fantastic on all winter surfaces and I loved them. The drawback though is that they tend to wear quickly on bare pavement.



Studded tires......

When the rear slides out it just adds to the fun, when the front slides out your ride may be done!!

I run a studded Schwalbe Marathon Winter tire on my rear all season. The front I also use a studded Schwalbe Marathon Winter for packed snow and ice but I built up a custom tire for icy ruts. My custom tire is an old IRC studded snow tire with a solid insert and sheet metal screws added to the tread. The picture below shows the Schwalbe on the left and the IRC on the right.

What do you mean "sport"? It's called commuting.

We only get a couple of days per year when there's enough ice but not yet much snow. On those days, riding on sea ice is great if somewhat unnerving. You also have to look out for long distance skaters. After that snow starts to pile up on ice and it's XC skiing time.

I remember back in the dim dark days of my youth seeing a documentary type film on motorcycle racing. It had a clip about racing on frozen lakes using -- not studded tires -- but tires with nails and stakes through them. I guess that was the predecessor to these "new fangled stud thingees".

I still remember their warning about not falling off because you might get used for traction -- which is common practice among motocross racers. But the nails might make it an unpleasant experience.

On Any Sunday, 1972, Bruce Brown film, he did Endless Summer. Steve McQueen, Mert Lawill and Malcom Smith were featured in this classic. I own the VHS, the Anniversary Edition DVD and the commerative edition DVD. Great movie.

Bill

THANKS!


I'm gonna see if I can find a copy of it. (It HAD to be good for these neuron's of mine to hang onto it for all these years!)

is that like 'in winter I get to take the short cut across the lake?'

That sounds kinda fun actually.

Thanks again Bill! (I did find it on Amazon and ordered a copy. I can't wait!)

Meanwhile, here's the opening to the film. There's no ice -- but it IS bicycles...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W50h...eature=related

And, for those who are interested, here's the trailer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSLRlPiiiQE

Now, I'm going for a ride... But, unlike these guys, I plan to keep BOTH wheels on the ground! (well, that's that plan. We'll see...)

If you're referring to the 1972 movie, the new fangled thingees had been commercially available for about a decade then. Nokian started with studded tyres sometime in the 1960s, having manufactured studded car tyres for decades already.

Actually yes. We have a couple of official ice road stretches for cars, and nobody knows how many unofficial. They typically shorten the distances by several dozens of kilometers (compared to driving around the lake). I know of at least one bike commuter who switches to ice when conditions allow it. Makes sense actually. No traffic, completely flat, great scenery. Headwind's a bummer though.

--J

Aren't those tires illegal for road use? Unless your North of Perry Sound, studded tires are illegal in Ontario. I've read the proper section of the HTA and it doesn't say motor vehicle...

I used to use them here in Pennsylvania -- and much enjoyed beeping as I passed around the 4 wheel drive macho-boys going up the hills. I also enjoyed the ability to stop while going back down the hill as well...
... Can't say whether or not the law has changed though.