Winter tyres

[.stu]

I've just put the Schwalbe Winter studded tyres on cos it's forecast to be just above freezing on Thursday morning in town, and I expect it will be freezing out in the countryside. I'm pretty sure the council will get the gritters out, but they may not do all the lanes. Anyone else got their winters tyres on or is it a bit early?

 

[DRHysted]

I put the studded tyres on the MTB 3 days ago, but am still using the CX with it's Autumn tyres (treaded 38mm). This way if frost is forecast I can take the MTB to be safe (when you work nights you have to plan for the journey home as it can be completely different to the journey in.
I hope to wait until December before I put the studded tyres on the CX (if the weathers good I can still use the Allez which is wearing 28mm GP 4 seasons for winter).

 

[J.Primus]

I'm going to cover my tyres in glue and then cycle though a pile of broken glass and nails. It's how I'd imagine Jean Claude Van Damme would have prepared winter tyres if he rode a bike in Kickboxer.

 

[.stu]

I'm going to cover my tyres in glue and then cycle though a pile of broken glass and nails. It's how I'd imagine Jean Claude Van Dam would have prepared winter tyres if he rode a bike in Kickboxer.

I'm not sure the glue is going to do much to stop all those punctures, but give it a go and let us know how you get on

 

[fossyant]

Fitted mine a month ago as the normal MTB tyres won't fit under the mudguards. If we get frost I will be using the MTB as my current route uses a long stretch of an old rail line which is tarmaced but not gritted. Its slippy now on 23mm tyres. Don't fancy negotiating the barriers with ice about.

 

[Bodhbh]

I've just put the Schwalbe Winter studded tyres on cos it's forecast to be just above freezing on Thursday morning in town, and I expect it will be freezing out in the countryside. I'm pretty sure the council will get the gritters out, but they may not do all the lanes. Anyone else got their winters tyres on or is it a bit early?

I'm tempted to put em on tonight. Last couple of times I came off on ice the forecast was around 2C and I thought I'd risk it. Not again!

 

[fossyant]

The rail line is a couple of degrees colder than the roads surrounding it. You can feel the temperature drop as soon as you join it.

 

[DCLane]

I went to find the wheels with spike tyres on over the weekend. Does that count?

And no, I'm on 23mm road tyres for the time being.

 

[KneesUp]

I've not ridden in winter since I went to school, when I used to arrive with ice in my hair if I hadn't had time to dry it after my shower. I was riding 23c then. If it got really cold I used to use my brother's MTB with knobbly tyres. The width seemed to make a bit of difference, but I suspect the fact that I was slower made as much difference.

How much difference do winter tyres make on a bike? I use them on my car, but that's heavy and we live on a hill. I currently have 38c Vittoria Randonneur Cross tyres on my commuter (because they were cheap at planet x) so they're wide-ish and have some grip. Would I notice much difference? I do also have my MTB with knobblies on, but I guess on ice it won't be much different, although it might be better in snow?

 

[dhd.evans]

Swapped the Ultremo ZXs for Marathon+ last night as this week it's been a bit nippier and slightly frosty. Cue today being absolutely sodding gorgeous and the added weight (nearly a full kilo difference between the Ultremo and Marathons) giving me nothing but bother.

Pah. Scottish weather is stupid unpredictable. I expect snow by lunchtime and then glorious Spanish sun by teatime.

 

[Bodhbh]

How much difference do winter tyres make on a bike? I use them on my car, but that's heavy and we live on a hill. ..I do also have my MTB with knobblies on, but I guess on ice it won't be much different, although it might be better in snow?

Well the OP is talking about metal studded tyres. They're heavy, noisy, the ride is harsh and they slip on road iron - but you can ride over ice with no problem. There's a few flavours available from fairly slick to MTB versions depending if you want them for the odd bit of black ice, or intend riding thru rutted ice, snow, etc.

 

[confusedcyclist]

Just ordered x2 Schwable Winter Spiked MTB tyres after seeing the low temps for the week ahead, apparently when new you need to run them on the tarmac for 25 miles before using them on ice to prevent the studs from coming loose.

It's time take the winter hack to the LBS as my rear derailleur is performing awfully despite new gear cables. Sort out your winter ride before the weather takes you by surprise!

 

[palinurus]

I have some spare wheels for the 'cross bike so I only use them on those rare days when I have to* ride on compacted snow/ ice. It is possible for me, by varying my commute a little, to ride almost entirely on a bus route which gets gritted so most of the time I'm riding normal road tyres (23-28 mm)

I don't know whether all local authorities do it but I did once find a map of the priority routes for gritting in my area. Bus routes seem to be a good indicator of these.

*I'm that stubborn, there's little I can do about it.

 

[confusedcyclist]

The problem with that approach is when you don't live on a bus route! In fact, I have to ride for 2/3 miles before I get to a main road.

Annoyingly my road is gritted, for about 10 miles in the opposite direction to work!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just put my marathon winter tyres on the Sirrus in anticipation of the impending ice age. If it isn't icy in the morning I will continue on the Tricross

They can stay on the Sirrus now until the spring, unless I invest in a spare set of wheels for it