HerrKaLeun

I'm in Madison, Wi and ride about 2 miles from my car to work on a bikepath. Paths here are usually plowed and occasionally salted well. But there still are freeze-thaw ice patches and ice-ruts from compacting snow with tire tracks. i also plan to ride recreationally on the bike paths more. for off-road and deep snow i have a 4.8" fatbike (which i don't use for commuting and on almost clear paths). i transport the bike on the way to work on my car via bike rack, so it is exposed to slat spray. at work i lock it up outside. So the bike needs to be good enough, but not expensive or desirable to thieves. i had a recent change in work location, so I'm "new" to this commuting via bike (normally i choose good bikes for recreational riding), so i need to re-adjust to create bikes more suitable for commuting.

Now i want to make a designated winter bike with studded bikes to serve me on the bike paths. Ideally i use the cheapest and least desirable bike since I have the following bikes. Ordered by value (low to high) and quality:
- 26" FS Schwinn MTB with 2" tires: this is my current commuter and a size too small for me (OK for 2 miles, though). If i stay with 26", i may look at a rigid 26" MTB frame over the long run.
- 700c hybrid with clearance of maybe up to 45mm (2" definitely doesn't fit). it is my size and has hydraulic brakes and is generally nicer. it is based on a Trek FX 7.2
- 700c hybrid with clearance of 2.3" maybe (it is a Giant Toughroad) and with XT 1x11 drivetrain etc. obviously the best tire options here, but the bike seems too valuable for winter biking and unsecure storage.

Before I invest a lot of $ in tires, I want to decide which tire size I carry forward. Some questions:
- is a 2" tire better than 38mm? I understand 2" gives me more float and comfort, but the added float may prevent the studs from actually reaching the ice. From my fatbike i know wider tires isn't always better. Again, the paths usually don't have deep snow for long. i weigh around 170# plus my backpack and winter gear.
- would the larger diameter of 700c be of any benefit regarding rolling over ice ruts etc.? (similar to the discussion if a 27.5x4" fat tire is better than a 26x4.8 etc.)

now to the tires:
- I understand more studs is better, most better ones have 200 studs
- some of the better tires (allegedly) are designed to have less stud contact with high pressure for lower rolling resistance, and more with lower pressure. That way I could adjust based on actual weather.
- does the higher tpi rating help in subtleness, comfort and rolling resistance?

One tire I consider is the 45nrth Gravdal that exists as 700x38mm or 26x2". the 26"has a 33 or 120 tpi option (~$70 vs. $90)
the other tire is the Schwalbe Marathon winter plus, which has more tire size options and 67tpi. That one is also cheaper (sold though european stores, like $35 or less).

i'd appreciate opinions on what tire size would be better for my riding, adn what tire would be better. i have to add I'm a chicken when it comes to ice and rather walk my bike when others still ride over ice. So I need all confidence I can get.

Leebo

I used both sizes here in MA. Both will work fine. Go with the 26 inch bike. Might find cheaper tires. Nokian make good ones too. Mount and ground I think. And yes, lots of abuse on the bike due to salt and sand.

rumrunn6

sounds like fun!

26"? 45Nrth Gravdal Studded Bike Tire

those will be a work out

I've been using the classic marathon winters for several years & I like them in various sizes. for commuting I'd go narrow, like 35mm

Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus 700c Tire (HS 396)

if you can afford the 120 tpi option, might as well get those, just because. I never had that luxury of choice w/ what I used

regarding float vs stud contact, I think the more relevant factor is consistency of snow compacting the tread but my feeling is that narrower would help you dig down deeper to the pavement



it's pretty fun to ride over ice, even more fun when it's covered w/ water! amazing how well studs work you got fenders?



I think wider tires w a little air let out from max pressure (& front shock if you have a bike with that) are better for uneven surfaces, like unpaved roads w/ ruts

HerrKaLeun

Thanks for the responses. I meanwhile ordered the Schwalbe 700x40 studded tires. My reasoning was they may dig in better and my 700c hybrid fits me better (an L for my 5'11"). The 26" MTb is a medium at best, and feels a tad too small for me. Other than that, the 26x2" probably are a good choice too.

rumrunn6

Sounds great have a blast!

stormpeakco

Those photos of the partially frozen over dirt road with vehicle ruts look like an accident ready to happen.

Likely, I am in the minority but I've been unimpressed with studs on fatbike tires...like w/ automobiles, studs provides an added sense of security (false?) and some of my most memorable crashes during winter have been riding gingerly on rutted ice with studded tires.
Now I ride on non-studded "beists" (our vehicle snow tires are also non-studded here in CO) over the past few winters and (try) avoid the dreaded frozen-thaw-frozen over automobile rutted ice.

sweeks

Studded tires rule on ice!


Nokian "Extreme 294" tires on Diamond Lake. N slipping!

HerrKaLeun

The 700x40 Schwalbe Marathon tires arrived last night. I put them on and rode on my driveway that has a 1" ice sheet. Make sure you get the ones with over 200 studs. There are some cheaper ones with just over 100 studs. Worked really well on ice. I'm still not riding on ice as fast as I probably could

This morning I rode them on my 10 minute commute on an almost clear path. I expected some rolling resistance, but honestly I was fast and they almost roll as well as some knobby MTB tires. I still have to get used to the minor noise. it is like riding in fine gravel.

BTW, I ordered them from bike24.de They have Schwalbe tires at half the cost of US prices. just sukcs to pay the 20 euro shipping, but still cheaper. Especially when you order more stuff.