How big an issue is road glass with Nokian A10's?
11-10-12, 06:24 PM
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How big an issue is road glass with Nokian A10's?
This is my first winter for bicycle commuting. I bought a pair of Nokian A10 studded tires (32-622). The A10's looked like the best match for my intended use - keeping me upright on patchy ice in an area (Springfield, IL) when water re-freezes on the pavement, while being somewhat better on rolling resistance on pavement I will be traveling the other 95% of the winter. We get snow, but not anything like Chicago.
The more I think about it, I am wondering about having to worry more about glass on the streets. I have been commuting with Kenda tires with Kevlar puncture resistance, and in 800 miles commuting so far, I have had zero punctures on the Kendas. I don't even look for glass actively anymore, it is just not a concern, the kevlar makes it a non-issue.
The A10's do not have kevlar. There is beer bottle glass occasionally on the streets I ride. I figure that glass will now be an issue once I switch to the A10's. Does anybody have any direct experience with these tires that they could share?
Staying upright on ice trumps getting flats for priority, so I will switch to the A10's when ice becomes a possibility. Just wondering what to expect. I will also post my experiences as they unfold, if appropriate. Thanks!
The more I think about it, I am wondering about having to worry more about glass on the streets. I have been commuting with Kenda tires with Kevlar puncture resistance, and in 800 miles commuting so far, I have had zero punctures on the Kendas. I don't even look for glass actively anymore, it is just not a concern, the kevlar makes it a non-issue.
The A10's do not have kevlar. There is beer bottle glass occasionally on the streets I ride. I figure that glass will now be an issue once I switch to the A10's. Does anybody have any direct experience with these tires that they could share?
Staying upright on ice trumps getting flats for priority, so I will switch to the A10's when ice becomes a possibility. Just wondering what to expect. I will also post my experiences as they unfold, if appropriate. Thanks!
04-04-13, 11:19 PM
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Results are in...
Winter is over, and tonight I took the A10's off my bike and put summer tires back on. Here is my first winter's experience on A10's:
Miles rode on A10's: 428
Glass fields rode through: plenty
Flats: zero
Studs lost: zero
The Hakkapeliitta A10's were great and passed with flying colors. Zero flats and zero problems. No wipeouts either. This was for a cold but otherwise standard Springfield, IL winter, for a 428 mile sample size. Lots of riding on plowed streets with some ice, and some days with some nasty rutted ice too. If your winters involve more extreme conditions, you might want something more extreme than A10's, but they work well for keeping you upright on ice in situations like mine. For what it's worth, I would definitely buy the tires again. I'm glad to switch back to summer tires, but will plan to use the A10's again next fall & winter. They are a little bit tough to get on and off of my particular rims, but I managed okay. Good tires.
Miles rode on A10's: 428
Glass fields rode through: plenty
Flats: zero
Studs lost: zero
The Hakkapeliitta A10's were great and passed with flying colors. Zero flats and zero problems. No wipeouts either. This was for a cold but otherwise standard Springfield, IL winter, for a 428 mile sample size. Lots of riding on plowed streets with some ice, and some days with some nasty rutted ice too. If your winters involve more extreme conditions, you might want something more extreme than A10's, but they work well for keeping you upright on ice in situations like mine. For what it's worth, I would definitely buy the tires again. I'm glad to switch back to summer tires, but will plan to use the A10's again next fall & winter. They are a little bit tough to get on and off of my particular rims, but I managed okay. Good tires.
