LBS with best tire selection in stock??

If you’re still looking, Bikenetic has some Innova studded tires that are cheaper than many I’ve seen. The tag says 45mm, but they look narrower.

@jabberwocky 73698 wrote:

I’m surprised that any LBS carries studded tires at all. 😮

The problem with most modern shops is they are generally strongly aligned with one brand, and most of the big brands stipulate that the shop needs to carry their line as their primary. So if you go to a Trek shop, you’re going to see a lot of Bontrager tires. They might have a few others, but most of their stock is gonna be Bontrager. Same with Specialized. And so on. If you want a wide selection in one place you’re pretty much limited to online shops.

I would agree with this but add that most shops will be willing to order pretty much anything on-line (parts wise) and get it within a day or so. It helps to be a friend of your LBS service department. (The Essigs send christmas cards to ours).

Yeah, in general buying tires from the LBS sucks. I can’t believe, for example, that people are willing to pay $75 for Continental GP4000S tires, but you see them lining the walls at those prices. That is more than twice the online price (w/ free shipping). Craziness! The only exception is that if you’re gonna buy Bontrager or Specialized tires, you won’t save any money since they aren’t sold by online retailers. Specialized does this well; I know that I will have to pay retail, so I’m happy to buy them at the LBS. Of course, it helps that I’m willing to pay retail for Specialized MTB and ‘cross tires, because they’ve proven to be solid performers. (It also helps that Specialized retail prices aren’t that bad.)

I pasted this awhile back, but here is a good read on non-studded winter tires: http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/the-best-winter-tires-for-road-cycling-38889/

I ordered a set of Duranos (from probikekit.com) that I’ll put on when my 28mm Panaracer T-Serv tires wear out (the T-Serv tire does pretty well in the winter, though compound could be stickier. I got mine at the Bike Lane; retail price is not too bad on those.). The Continental GP 4 Seasons is another well reviewed tire for winter riding, but there again you’re gonna pay 2x the price at the LBS.

I mention these non-studded tires since studs are so significantly slower to ride on that I can’t bear to keep them on if the trails aren’t covered in snow/ice. For studded tires, I think Peter White is the go-to source, but would love to know about local shops that stock the tires with carbide studs. I see Kenda also makes some carbide-studded tires; if my Nokians ever wear out, I might try those next.

@Mikey 73700 wrote:

It helps to be a friend of your LBS service department. (The Essigs send christmas cards to ours).

Mine gets bottles of rum!

For what it’s worth, I did also manage to convince Jan of Bikenetic to check out of they can get some of these things: http://www.slipnottraction.com/

Keep an eye on their Facebook page, or something.

@KLizotte 73436 wrote:

I want to visit an LBS or two this wknd to see what my options are in terms of studded and/or heavier duty tires. Anybody know which LBS(s) has the best selection?

I am currently riding a Cannondale Synapse road bike with 25s Armadillo Elites. Too slippery in this weather!

Thank you!

For studded tires you need to know what the widest tire you can use with your rim, fork, and brakes. The narrowest studded tire on Peter White is 32mm and these tended to be taller than a similar sized road tire.