I will be traveling the Allegheny Trail and the C&O to D.C.in feb and am thinking of running home made tire chains. I have a set of continental cross country 26x1.5's that do well off road as well as a pair specialized nimbus armadillo's for on road use. My question is the ride...is it that bad? I have researched it and found mixed reviews. By the way I am going to stud my panaracers, they're just a little wide for the long haul. Thanks.

What type of brakes to you have? If drum or disc, chains wouldn't be too bad to install. With V brakes, you need to make sure they're tight so they won't interfere with the brakes and be prepared to have to re-install them if they fall off when turning. Unless there is snow cover most of the way, the ride with chains may be very bumpy and uncomfortable. Have you thought of using a studded tire on the front and a chain on the back tire? FYI, Kool Stop makes tire chains for bicycles, called "Quik Klaw Cleats and Chains;" they don't list them on their website, you have to call their toll-free number (800-586-3332) . This is what they look like. Good luck. That's a cold time of year to be touring. Stay safe and warm.

Don't try change a flat with all that stuff wrapped on your tire. Tire chains are a strange.. Here is what icebike people say. I don't know people who use chains, it is either a very wide for off-trail or studded.

What sort of conditions are expected?

If I've understood correctly, chains are good in that you can install and remove them at the roadside with relatively little hassle whenever needed. If there are sudden changes in conditions, for example. This is why some countries in EU for example specifically forbid the use of studded car tyres, in favor of chains. Studded tyres would cause too much wear and tear for roads that are clear for the most part. Chains can be used only if and when needed.

But studed tyres are better in pretty much all other respects. I don't know the conditions of your route, but are you expecting a lot of variance? Why not use studded tyres all the way?

--J

Thanks for the input, I saw the kool stops and the icebikers page when I was researching earlier. I expect some snow as it is going to be early Feb.. I would like to buy studded tires but I am building up a 26" 56cm LHT as soon as I can get the frame. Even with the component swapping I am doing the frame and a couple of assorted new components has drained the" bike money in the drawer"fund. Maybe santa will be nice this year It's only a one way trip as I am meeting my wife and son in D.C. on our way to Parris Island SC. My oldest son is a Marine Recruit and is graduating Feb 12. I guess I'll make any excuse to ride, thanks again.

I formerly used chains in riding on snowy trails and roads. (I think the brand was "Gator" something.) The traction is probably better on glare ice than studs (which I'm using now), but not by much, and the traction on everything else is comparable. (I'm using Nokian Extremes now.) Since I always rode on snow covered trails and roads, I did not notice much in the way of a problem with the ride; the snow smoothed everything out. The chains only become an issue when you hit hard or dry pavement, or some such thing, where you shouldn't be riding with chains anyway.

I did find that the chains wear out rather quickly, as the wires running along the sidewalls attached to the chains that go over the tread, got frayed after not too long. And the wires and chains chewed up the tires I was using quite a bit.

I was skeptical of the Nokians when I first put those on, as I had grown accustomed to riding up and down steep hills of near pure glare ice with the chains. But the Nokians have been more or less up to handling the same conditions, with only a few instances of uncomfortable slippage.

As a temporary measure to deal with short stretches of snowed over trails, I think your idea of using chains is a fine one. I would just be leery of the hassle of having to put them on and take them off over and over again, if the route has a lot of variable conditions.

Thanks for your input Joe. I may just get studded tires. I usually run off road tires in the winter but this ride isn't just around the block. It's just hard for me to justify the expenditure as I am spending a bit on the new build.