Schwalbe Marathon Winters

[fossyant]

Touches wood - none lost

 

[style over speed]

thought I wouldn't be needing them today, but went through Battersea park and it was like a slushy skating rink

on the east road by the cafe

the back wheel slides around bit in the wet stuff, really glad I bought them.

 

[HJ]

I'll be swapping the Snow studs off the MTB for trail tyres once the ice goes (about May at this rate)......2012

That soon? Ah, but you are south of here...

 

[Downward]

How did you get on with them today MP around Brum ?

 

[ajp233]

Received email notifcation last week (17 December) from actionsports.de that they had the 700 x 35c Winter's in stock. Ordered a pair straight away and within 2 hours had received a notification of despatch together with the tracking number - the tyres arrived this morning. Cannot recommend actionsports.de highly enough.

In contrast, the same tyres were ordered from Wiggle mid November and they have twice put the expected delivery date back (now early January) without even a courtesy email to let me know. Have now cancelled the order.

 

[GrasB]

I think the problem is spiked tyres in the UK are seen as a speciality tyre were in the north of mainland Europe they're seen as a standard item for the more committed cyclist. The result is that stock is much easier to get hold of in France, Germany, etc. The same applies to winter & all season tyres for cars, they're available in the UK but lead times can be huge, for this reason I bought a set this summer when driving across Europe (I literally went into a French equivalent of ATS & off the shelf in autumn got winter tyres in the correct size).

 

[fossyant]

We generally get mild winters, or have done for many years, so no need for spiked tyres. Only in the last 12 months has the weather cycle changed, and I think we are in for a fair few cold winters now.

 

[Downward]

Dunno about that Fossy - Here every year since 2005 we have had snow.

 

[summerdays]

Well given that I cycled up and down my road without a problem this morning and later saw a post office van do a 180 degree spin I think they are worth it. I mean how much would you pay not to have a broken bone and the inconvenience that goes with it. I know it isn't going to prevent all accidents but if I can significantly reduce my chances of an accident then its a price I can afford.

 

[Bodhbh]

So anyone gone charging over sheets of ice on studded tyres only for another cyclist without any to try the same stunt?

I notice I'm making very little attempt to avoid ice since I got them, at least on the straight. If someone decides to copy assuming "well it was okay for him" they may find themselves having a tumble.

 

[phantasmagoriana]

So anyone gone charging over sheets of ice on studded tyres only for another cyclist without any to try the same stunt?

I've been passed by people without studded tyres whilst riding very slowly on mine! I think I'm too cautious...

 

[Jezston]

yep, lost a couple last Winter but the tyres can lose quite a few before they lose functionality.

Can you replace the studs in such tyres?

I'm teetering on the edge of buying some Nokians but at the cost of such things I'd like them to last me a few years if I'm only going to be using them 2-3 weeks a year!

 

[skids]

Just got round to fitting mine ready for the new year commutes (current weather forecast looks like the icy conditions will be back). Frame clearance is fine (pics here) but couldn't get the guards to fit. I'll take a couple of trips to Bath and back down the cycletrack over the next couple of days to bed the studs in.

 

[threefingerjoe]

Can you replace the studs in such tyres?

I'm teetering on the edge of buying some Nokians but at the cost of such things I'd like them to last me a few years if I'm only going to be using them 2-3 weeks a year!

I think this is my 4th or 5th winter using Nokian W106 tyres, and they still look great. I've never lost a stud. Granted, I only use them when weather requires.

 

[summerdays]

So anyone gone charging over sheets of ice on studded tyres only for another cyclist without any to try the same stunt?I notice I'm making very little attempt to avoid ice since I got them, at least on the straight. If someone decides to copy assuming "well it was okay for him" they may find themselves having a tumble.

If anyone copies you then they are already out on their bike in icy condition - they have already made that choice (if you are worrying about it from a guilt point of view). Prior to putting on the tyres I don't think I would have blindly followed another cyclist across ice assuming if he can do it so can I ... in the same way we all have different skills and risk-taking so that if a gap is fine for one cyclist to exit a junction if may not be for the one next to him.