Spiked ice tyres

[benb]

It'll be -1° when I go to work tomorrow.
But, most of the roads I use are fairly traffic heavy, so the ice will probably have gone.

Do I go to the effort of swapping out my tyres for the ice ones tonight or not?

 

[mjr]

It depends if there are any sneaky little bits where ice congregates and whether you're on a flighty fast bike that will throw you at the floor at the first sign of ice or a sturdy roadster which might spin a bit first.

I would but our roads are full of sneaky bits.

 

[Andrew_P]

I rode on -4.5 Purley to Horley and then 5 miles on country exposed roads -6.5 I just stayed in the part of the road where the nearside car wheel goes on the latter part. The only time I would be worried is if it had rained recently and then sustained cold temps. Daytime temps were 6 today so can't see it being a problem TBH

 

[ianrauk]

Living and commuting into SE London for gawd knows how many years. I have never found the need for studded tyres. Even using back streets/non busy roads. It was minus 4 this morning, bit of ice and frost about, but nothing to bother the bike.
You're in SW so can imagine our roads are pretty similar, so voted no..

 

[benb]

On the other hand, I've been complaining that I haven't had the opportunity to use the spiked tyres!

 

[Andrew_P]

Spiked tyres are not he sort of thing I would use for "fun"

 

[summerdays]

Depends... If just frosty no you should be ok, but if you are cycling places where idiots have used water to melt their windscreens or major hills/bends at speed I would want them on. How long would it take, it only took me about 20 mins to do the tyre swap (though a little longer to sort out the mudguard rub).

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I voted yes, but I live in Scotland, have an ice bike ready since October, and used it many times since then.

 

[benb]

I didn't bother, and it was the right decision.
The car wasn't iced up, which was a good indicator, and the roads were fine.

 

[Spartak]

Beware of the white lines !!!

Usually separating the cycle/pedestrian lane I crossed over one in the ice a few years ago - ended up with concussion & cracked ribs spent 4 hours in Frenchay hospital !

Bike was okay though but helmet was cracked.