Assesing The Risk of Ice

[smutchin]

How good are studded "ice" tyres? I've never used them - can the bike still slide from under you at extreme angles, or do the studs run out to the sides far enough to stop that happening?

Just to add to what has already been said, Marathon Winters are designed specifically for riding on icy roads. They have no studs in the centre of the tread, so in theory they're not much different to normal tyres when riding in a straight line on tarmac, as long as you have them at a high-ish pressure (still nowhere near normal road bike tyre pressure though). If you hit an icy patch and start to slip sideways, that's when the studs dig in and save you from a fall. It's quite unnerving the first few times it happens but once you get used to it, it feels great and fills you with confidence.

There are different tyres with different stud patterns for riding in snow.

I have read this thread with interest as I have been told that studded tyres will be ruined by riding on tarmac for even a short distance, the studs pulling out of the tyres.
It seems from the above posts that this is not true, or has anyone had this happen ?

I've lost a few studs from mine but not enough to cause concern. As mentioned already, it is possible to replace them.

 

[HLaB]

Lol, I'm becoming a wuss in my old age; decided I'd drive in all the way tomorrow rather than cycle the last part in the forecast freezing fog. When it's been like this in the past I driven to where it's pancake flat and ran lower pressure in my tyres and been fine :-/ As it's dry I doubt there be any ice but as I said I'm getting old ;-)

 

[mjr]

Everything's white and the water trough is frozen solid so the morning market trip has become a lunchtime market trip for the first time this year!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

It's 5 degrees here, positively mild: no ice bike for me for my shift tonight.
Looks like it's going to stay mild for the next few days!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Will anyone admit to using a lower pressure in their tyres, without ice tyres?

Yes I've done that in the past, usually when its been snowing.

 

[mjr]

It's 5 degrees here, positively mild: no ice bike for me for my shift tonight.
Looks like it's going to stay mild for the next few days!

Sub zero here most of the morning - first time like that this year. -1°c already again now. Ice bike pumped up, oiled and tested! After that, it seems forecast to warm up again until the end of the following week.

 

[GGJ]

I'm running my single speed on 23mm Gatorskins at 55-65psi

 

[HLaB]

Supposed to stay below freezing to 4AM here and remain 'feel like' -ve temps till 10am but after that its supposed to rise quickly to +5deg. If thats right I think I'm assessing another day of the bike

 

[cyberknight]

Been using the mtb but im swapping back to the roadie tomorrow , although the airs cold the ground isn't freezing so no ice about.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well, I rode back from work about an hour ago, it's warm, to warm to my Altura night vision.
Sitting here now without heating on. Only 2 days ago there was ice everywhere!

 

[threefingerjoe]

Marathon Winters are designed specifically for riding on icy roads. They have no studs in the centre of the tread, so in theory they're not much different to normal tyres when riding in a straight line on tarmac, as long as you have them at a high-ish pressure (still nowhere near normal road bike tyre pressure though). If you hit an icy patch and start to slip sideways, that's when the studs dig in and save you from a fall

Schwalbe must take a different approach than Nokian. I've been using the Nokian Hekkapalita 106 for the last 10 years or so. These tyres have 2 rows of studs toward the CENTER and are intended for ploughed roads that may have black ice, and work great on glazed ice. They also have a more aggressive tyre that has 4 rows, including 2 rows toward the side. These are intended for deeper snow to help you get out of ruts. Around here, our roads are usually ploughed, and I've always had good luck with the 2 row type.

 

[MichaelW2]

How good are studded "ice" tyres? I've never used them - can the bike still slide from under you at extreme angles, or do the studs run out to the sides far enough to stop that happening?

I made some studded tyres and they are good on black ice, and skating rink type compressed snow. Than angle of tip varies but generslly you ride conservstively, not flat out around corners and cambers.

 

[MichaelW2]

The big risk of falling on ice is a fractured hip. Can you get hip protectors that you can ride with. American football padding now uses a smart material that stiffens on impact.

 

[Tin Pot]

Tin Pot's Principle of Air Temperature Based Excercise

>15C = Outdoor swimming, cycling and running
5-14C = Indoor swimming, cycling and running
<5C = Running and skiing

 

[smutchin]

Schwalbe must take a different approach than Nokian.

I don't know, they sound fairly similar - the studs aren't very far off-centre, just far enough that they won't be in contact with the road if you have the tyres at maximum pressure.

If you run them at lower pressure, the studs will be in contact with the road most of the time -

The Marathon Winters actually have four rows of spikes - Schwalbe also make a basic Winter tyre with just two rows of spikes.