tattman23

Not asking for 3rd party research here, I typically enjoy doing the "hunting" myself. I'm hoping to benefit from BF experience from all-season riders, that's all. This is the 7.4's first real winter.

I'm thinking to do a seasonal swap-a-roo soon, replacing the stock 700x32 AW1 hard-case with something a little treadier ("aggressive"?).
I'm not doing n+1 yet (so I don't think I want studs for my multi-purpose ride).

The "field" so far -
* I'm unenlightened but have no blantant objections to Bontrager CX-3.
* Ventured to an LBS slightly more distant, and looked at some Kendas, Kwicks and Kross Supremes.

The Kendas were half the cost, which the Polish in me equates to half the quality <eye roll>, but (and admittedly maybe this is silly), I felt like the Bontragers had cool-factor/curb appeal compared to "plain ol' " Kendas.

Maybe I keep the AW-1's on, at least until that first icy crash, I dunno.
They're a little on the smoove side I think.

dynaryder

If you're going to ride on any ice,you don't want treaded tires,you want studded. Like these or these. Yeah,they're not cheap,but they work. And in a place like Chi-town,you'll get your money's worth out of them if you ride year round.

bikemig 

Agreed that studded tires are the best choice. 2d best are "winter" tires like these continental winter contact tires, Continental Bicycle -Top CONTACT Winter II

I have 2 commuters. I run studded tires on one and the conti winter contact tires on the other. They're nice tires. They handle very well and do a pretty good job on a mix of pavement with snowy/icy patches.

tattman23

Thanks for replies bikemig and dynarider. The info and links are really helpful and appreciated.
(But now I have to get BOTH types and "run some tests" hehe).

More recommendations wouldn't hurt either, but that makes me sound "greedy",
Tatt

dunelt_1954

I would concur with the recommendation for studs. I ride year 'round in Indianapolis, and
have Nokian Suomi IceSpeed tires on an old Fuji hybrid for when the weather dictates.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R2MGLPV...sporting-goods
has my review, not too expensive, particularly compared to getting injured in a washout in traffic.

tattman23

Those look tempting, and coincidentally I would be a repeat customer of Niagara; sourced some Evo full fenders from them not so long ago.
In fact all of the suggestions have "yeah this could work" going for them, and I certainly would not have been able to locate them all easily on my own (so THANKS again).
Question for LBS would be, whether or not the "max tire width 40" or "labeled width 37/40" in the specs on Amazon, translates to being too large.
Trek 7.4fx looks like it could fit even wider tires than these, but of course I'd rather not be guessing.

dunelt_1954

Yes, the Suomi tires are about as large as can fit my old Del Rey. They aren't really wide, but have a high profile. I wish I could make a better guess for your Trek.

zbicyclist

I'm in the Chicago area and I use studs in the winter (Nokian Haak 106s, about 14 years old. These tires hold up.)

But I'm one of few Chicago area cyclists who use studs in the winter. So, useful as they are, I think we shouldn't create the notion that they are the norm. I see more riders using cross tires.