Winter tyres and ice?

[sazzaa]

Had my first run-in with some black ice this morning, the ice won, obviously... Worth getting winter tyres for this or will black ice take you out no matter what? I'm on cx tyres at the moment.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

From everything I've heard, studded winter tyres are the only option for ensuring you stay upright on sheet ice. I know @Pat "5mph" uses them and finds they work, as do a few other members on here.

 

[sazzaa]

From everything I've heard, studded winter tyres are the only option for staying upright on sheet ice. I know @Pat "5mph" uses them and finds they work, as do a few other members on here.

Thanks. Can you leave them on all winter (on non-icy days too) or does that ruin them?

 

[.stu]

The ice got me too - twice

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Thanks. Can you leave them on all winter (on non-icy days too) or does that ruin them?

Yes I believe you can, but the studs create noise and drag so if you had a long spell of non icy weather you might want to change them to a more conventional tyre. Or have a seperate bike for icy days as I know a few people do.

 

[The Brewer]

Me thinks I need to get a pair

 

[sazzaa]

*awaits helmet debate*

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Me thinks I need to get a pair

Ooh, ouch.

 

[numbnuts]

Me thinks I need to get a pair

Ouch ........... and a razor

 

[Schneil]

I'm running these on the hybrid
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20topcontactwinter.shtml

http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/continental-top-contact-winter-tire.html
http://g-tedproductions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/continental-top-contact-winter-tire.html

Not tried them out on thick sheet ice, but they've been pretty good for general Winter riding. They've worked well on sludge and grease. Also well in cold weather and rain.

 

[BSRU]

I would not have ridden to work without the knowledge of knowing I was on Marathon Winters, no point taking the risk.
In the past three years I have owned them I have ridden over 2,000 km on them, without them I would have been in the car.
This morning being a prime example of lots of icy roads and sheet ice everywhere, even going up an 8% climb was no problem.

 

[sazzaa]

I would not have ridden to work without the knowledge of knowing I was on Marathon Winters, no point taking the risk.
In the past three years I have owned them I have ridden over 2,000 km on them, without them I would have been in the car.
This morning being a prime example of lots of icy roads and sheet ice everywhere, even going up an 8% climb was no problem.

When I looked out it looked a bit damp and drizzly, and there wasn't a hint of frost on the car. Really didn't expect a massive patch of ice!

 

[Tommy2]

I've just bought a mountain bike for real bad weather (old spesh hardrock sport) are there any tyres that will be any good in slush, snow and ice or is that a run to work scenario?

 

[BSRU]

When I looked out it looked a bit damp and drizzly, and there wasn't a hint of frost on the car. Really didn't expect a massive patch of ice!

The same happens to me, I start in the town centre, no ice but by the time I hit the country lanes it is ice everywhere.
I had to stop this morning on a country lane to adjust my wheel magnet, I almost fell over it was so slippy under foot but the bike had no problems.

 

[The Brewer]

*awaits helmet debate*

Not going there