Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
Once again, I said schwable marathons.
Winter tyres and ice?
- Thread starter sazzaa
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Erm have you used Conti 4 Seasons. I have for about 5 years. Bees knees all round commuter tyre. Fast, light and very grippy. I've never had an issue down to freezing, then just switch to spiked for my safety.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Yes bromptonfb we know what you said, just showing what Ice Spikers and Snow studs will do to those that don't.
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
So your anecdotal evidence outweighs continentals r and d teams?
And by your reasoning I've never slipped on black ice with my conti's therefore my conti's work on black ice?
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
I'm not sure anything else will fit most 700c frames.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Does it have the clearance as M Winters smallest 700c tyre is 35.
I bought a Genesis Croix de Fer, a CX bike, and it has just enough room for the M Winters and mudguards.
Bodhbh
Guru
Winters are great for ice - black ice, sheet ice, riding across ponds, whatever - as long is it's not rutted. Great for days like today when loads of black ice about. Last year I just left them on December to Easter, this year they're on a spare bike. They are slow, heavy, slip on road iron, and the ride is quite harsh - better than taking the bus or breaking your hip tho! 
It doesn't take much snow to start slipping tho, and deep icy ruts are a no, no. - then you need the Ice Spikers, or - a comprise - an Ice Spiker on the front.
I know, people say this is all a bit of a faff, they're an expensive indulgence, but they soon pay for themselves - 12quid in bus fair so far this year. Last year it would've been at least 30 quid. Plenty of life left in them too.
It doesn't take much snow to start slipping tho, and deep icy ruts are a no, no. - then you need the Ice Spikers, or - a comprise - an Ice Spiker on the front.
I know, people say this is all a bit of a faff, they're an expensive indulgence, but they soon pay for themselves - 12quid in bus fair so far this year. Last year it would've been at least 30 quid. Plenty of life left in them too.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
You put your faith in those top contacts (without studs) - hit sheet ice, or black ice, and don't say I didn't warn you - on a pedal bike you will be on your ar$e.
PS Continental advertise the 4 Season as an all round, all year tyre. They work on anything until you hit ice ! Hardly anecdotal ! I'll stick with my choice of 1 road bike for commuting and an MTB for nasty stuff !
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
Why are you being so aggressive?
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Not agressive but you are dismissing the fact that the 4 Season is sold as an all year round tyre. The top contact isn't a safe choice when there is smooth ice about, like what you get on roads, especially smooth tarmaced ones.
Any hint of ice, I will switch from my road tyres to spiked ones. Too many folk already this year with bashed heads, hips, knees. Happens every winter. I've yet to crash (other than on mud off road when they bogged down) with my studded tyres.
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
I don't remember dismissing the conti's 4 seasons, however I think I quoted one of your posts with it in - I've just had a look.
No need however for the aggression just because you feel slighted in some way. You've dismissed mine and others arguments but we haven't reverted to keyboard warrior.
No need however for the aggression just because you feel slighted in some way. You've dismissed mine and others arguments but we haven't reverted to keyboard warrior.
Rohloff_Brompton_Rider
Formerly just_fixed
Yes I agree they advertise them for dry, wet and cold weather but not snow though.
So as I said earlier a tyre needs to be a compromise unless your only likely to come one type of road conditions on a commute - ice all the way, snow all way etc then it makes sense to use a specialised tyre for that type of road conditions.
Or if like me and you're likely to encounter 21 miles of varying road conditions then a compromise has to be reached. 22 miles with spiked tyres is not fun and they don't stick to metal road ware either, in fact they slip quicker than a summer tyre on black ice.
The problem I got is it's 10 miles of gritted roads, 2 miles of icy untreated road then a mile of gritted on my way in to work, but on the way back it's probably thawed out, so is it worth getting studded tyres for those 2 miles of just stick to the gritted roads and go the long way round (which I should have done this morning in hindsight)?
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Go the long way round. Usually it's OK. If the winter is dry and cold, then you are less likely to meet ice. At the moment it's relatively mild, but wet, so when you do get those cold nights, there will be lots of ice about, especially if the council hasn't gritted.
If you haven't got two bikes/choice of tyres, don't ride, and take a safer option ! That's what I used to do after some nasty offs on ice. If you do have a spare bike, then stick some ice tyres on it just for those icy days.
