Bike Forums - Who's got the studs on?

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Winter Cycling (https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/)

- - Who's got the studs on? (https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/1130366-whos-got-studs.html)

I just made a purchase today from bikestuds.com. I'm going to convert the Continental Spike Claw 120s on my beater bike into Spike Claw 240s.

It's nearing the end of winter but we have a month to go. Toronto has been known to have snow into April. For those days when most of the snow is gone but the trails still have thin layers of ice all over them, I think it would be overkill to use my fatbike. Hence my beater bike, Giant Acapulco mountain bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55murray (Post 20192397)

My problem is I have only one winter/mudder bike, the rest I'm only taking out if the roads are dry and completely salt free. I need another beater so I can keep studs on one.

Yup, according to the weather forecast, we'll be back to what you describe very soon. I operate the same way, we just had a lot of rain recently, getting the salt off the roads.

I've never used studded tires. If it becomes too difficult or dangerous to get about on mtb type treads around here then I don't ride.

I learned the same lesson driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollfast (Post 20193582)

I've never used studded tires. If it becomes too difficult or dangerous to get about on mtb type treads around here then I don't ride.

I learned the same lesson driving.

That's good advice. However, sometimes it's hard to tell what the conditions are the farther away from home you have to ride, and you don't know if you need studs until it's too late. Or I've had days when it's clear in the morning when I'm going to work but coming home there's a think layer of snow or icy areas that are slick. Also, living where we are there are many months when the temperature in the AM is below freezing but daytime temps are above, so moisture in the air sometimes forms slick patches on the road.

If I didn't have the security of studded tires I'd give up probably 30% of my commutes just because there's an odd chance that there's slick conditions somewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rollfast (Post 20193582)

I've never used studded tires. If it becomes too difficult or dangerous to get about on mtb type treads around here then I don't ride.

I learned the same lesson driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006 (Post 20194247)

That's good advice. However, sometimes it's hard to tell what the conditions are the farther away from home you have to ride, and you don't know if you need studs until it's too late….

Also, living where we are there are many months when the temperature in the AM is below freezing but daytime temps are above, so moisture in the air sometimes forms slick patches on the road.

If I didn't have the security of studded tires I'd give up probably 30% of my commutes just because there's an odd chance that there's slick conditions somewhere.

Nicely said @mcours2006. Early after joining BikeForums in 2008, I deliberated the use of studded tires, and was swayed by this post from Rochester, NY (on a thread questioning the value of fenders vs studded tires):

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsl (Post 8128194)

I dunno, maybe it's my age showing. Here in Rochester, at least along my commute, there's always ice that miraculously didn't get salted away.

I figure gunk washes off quickly and easily. Broken bones would keep me off the bike for weeks while they mend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anx (Post 20162736)

I wish I had mine today for 5-10 minutes for the icy patches I hit (see above),but with the warmth they would have overkill for 90% of my ride.

Does using them unnecessarily on 'normal' conditions wear them at all I wonder?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20163096)

Carbide studs are reputed to last a long time. I ride studded tires all winter from December to March, nearly entirely on bare, wet, and/or salted pavement. Myfirst pair lasted several seasons, and may be still useable.

However, now my beater bike is an aluminum Diverge Elite road bike and I have30 C Schwalbe Marathon studded tires, the narrowest I know of. I've not had a significant snow challenge with them since I ride well-plowed roads, but the previous (?) 35 C tires were good up to about 3 inches of new snow.

I really like the Schwalbe tires because I don't seem to feel the increased rolling resistance many claim for more aggressively treaded studded tires.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20184346)

On one of my worst commuting days in decades, the roads were so slick, that cars couldn’t make it up one of my hills, yet I could with my studded tires.

When I do drive on icy roads, as well as cycle, my strategy is just to maintain control and keep away from other drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20128321)

On one of the worst winter days I have ridden by bike on studded tires, I was able to stop three different times, to push hapless drivers spinning their wheels on icy roads to get onto less slippery patches.
:winter2:

On the other hand, I have previously posted,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 19215696)

Generally I get kudos or just indifference towards my cycling,mostly as a year-round commuter here in Metro Boston, even after my seriousaccident four years ago. The most hostile remarks, particularly in Winter, are from those drivers who fear for themselves to hit me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 19215725)

When winter cycling I particularly emphazise wearing a rearview mirror because of that added danger of cars skidding, both behind and oncoming, and usually on narrowed roadways.

… When I do ride in nasty weather though my wife does chide me, "You just want to ride today so you can write about it on BikeForums." :notamused:

BTW, though I didn't ride today, I was thinking that after this weekend's heavy rains, the streets might be clean enough to bring out the pristine carbon fiber bike, in storage since December. The studs stay on the beater through most of March.

I have bikes as transportation, so I use the one with studs when its right around 0 C and below.

this year Portland got the snow and at 600+ feet , over the coast range, nothing to talk about, out on the Coast..

...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 55murray (Post 20191797)

And mine are now off! Looking at the forecast it was just going to be too much dry pavement running, I'm sure there will still be a time or two I might regret it...

Anyone else back to plain rubber??

Nope. I just put up with the studs and their strength-building effects until snow and ice are a memory for the year. :thumb:

I put the studs on in mid-December and take them off in mid-March. February felt rather strange with studs but no ice.

with Feb temps rising like crazy, figured it was safe to do my car's tire changeover early, figures a large Nor'easter is gonna dump 3" of precip which may include 6-12" of snow Friday into Saturday as I leave just after sunrise for a 400 mile round trip to NY. reminds me of early December before I put them on

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumrunn6 (Post 20198063)

You are ever so the optimist. :lol: Changing over to studs is an easy enough job, but it's a bit of a pain on car, even if you have them already mounted on rims.

We're expecting a few cm this weekend as well starting today during PM rush hour. I had the studs on, then last minute this morning took them off. I am gambling with the timing of the precipitation.:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006 (Post 20198129)

expecting a few cm this weekend as well starting today during PM rush hour. I had the studs on, then last minute this morning took them off. I am gambling with the timing of the precipitation.:D

yeah you are. :thumb: if my Mom doesn't want to go out for her B-Day Saturday due to the weather & makes me stay home, I can take my studded bike out for one last ride in the mess

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumrunn6 (Post 20198063)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006 (Post 20198129)

You are ever so the optimist. :lol: Changing over to studs is an easy enough job, but it's a bit of a pain on car, even If you have them already mounted on rims.

We're expecting a few cm this weekend as well starting today during PM rush hour. I had the studs on, then last minute this morning took them off. I am gambling with the timing of the precipitation.:D

Just two days ago I posted on this thread,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20195018)

… BTW,though I didn't ride today, I was thinking that after this weekend's heavy rains, the streets might be clean enough to bring out the pristine carbon fiber bike, in storage since December. The studs stay on the beater through most of March

Carbide studs are reputed to last a long time. I ride studded tires all winter from December to March, nearly entirely on bare, wet, and/or salted pavement. However, now my beater bike is an aluminum Diverge Elite road bike and I have 30 C Schwalbe Marathon studded tires, the narrowest I know of.

I've not had a significant snow challenge with them since I ride well-plowed roads, but the previous (?) 35 C tires were good up to about 3 inches of new snow.

I really like the Schwalbe tires because I don't seem to feel the increased rolling resistance many claim for more aggressively treaded studded tires.

As a busy early morning commuter, it’s just too much trouble to change tires with the weather. :crash:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20198533)

As a busy early morning commuter, it’s just too much trouble to change tires with the weather.

I agree, and those few minutes you save with dry tires you give up fiddling with the tire change anyway. However, it would be a nicer ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20198533)

... As a busy early morning commuter, it’s just too much trouble to change tires with the weather.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcours2006 (Post 20200928)

I agree, and those few minutes you save with dry tires you give up fiddling with the tire change anyway. However, it would be a nicer ride.

Thanks for your advice,@mcours, but as I noted above,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 20195018)

… BTW,though I didn't ride today,I was thinking that after this weekend's heavy rains, the streets might be clean enough to bring out the pristine carbon fiber bike, in storage since December. The studs stay on the beater through most of March…

I really like the Schwalbe tires because I don't seem to feel the increased rolling resistance many claim for more aggressively treaded studded tires.

After today’s rainy deluge, the streets should be pristine (except for downed trees and branches), and I’ll bring out my carbon fiber bike for a ride I describe as “ethereal.” :D

I've got two sets of wheels for my 20" folder. I really like having studded tires when I need them and I like being able to just swap wheels.