Studded tires

[dagamon]

I’ve been putting it off for years, but I guess I just need to get them.

Topic

[vvill]

I run a 26×1.95 front and 26×1.9 rear: I figure if I’m riding studded tires I’m not worried about rolling resistance and erring on the side of caution anyway. I’m willing to have to ride slower for the increased safety.

That said, I have thought about getting a rear studded tire for my CX bike for less icy days, but it would have to be <40mm from eyeballing. (The 26" front wheel with studs fits on the CX bike, so I'd just grab that one.)

[hozn]

That is a good point; you can probably fit bigger tires if you use smaller diameter rims (thanks, disc brakes). I was considering running 650B 2.0″ tires on my CX bike, but decided that I didn’t need yet another wheel project — or another wheel size for that matter. Kinda nice that everything uses 700c/29″ rims/tubes/tires.

[dkel]

Rolling resistance makes a difference on studs, in speed and noticeable increase in effort, but what really slows you down is riding over the snowy, icy mess that caused you to put the studs on in the first place. Breaking in my new studs on dry pavement in November cost me a couple of mph maybe, and a few extra minutes on my 7.5 mi commute; riding over the mess on the W&OD last week cost me about a third or more of my usual speed, and almost twice the time. In that sense, rolling resistance can be the least of your concerns, and sweating the difference between 35s and 40s may not be worth it. That said, my ride yesterday in “freezing” rain felt super slow and very exhausting on studs, because there was no ice to be found. All I could think about was rolling resistance.

So, basically ignore everything I just said. This is all you need to know: 40s look more badass than 35s, and the knobbier the better. You can take that to the bank, buddy.

[Dirt]

Bikenetic has 3 or 4 sets of studded tires coming into stock tomorrow. I’ll post up some photos tomorrow night, as well as some details. If I recall correctly, they’re all sized for 700c wheels… 700×30 and 700×40 size, and in a few different tread patterns. If you’d like to see before you buy, swing by or give us a call.

[cyclingfool]

I’d go as wide as you can. Wider tires will do better over fresh snow. dkel’s assessment is pretty spot on.

[dagamon]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Picked up a set of Schwalbe Winter tires, and they seem to do the trick. But, damn are they heavy.

[brendan]

@dagamon 106229 wrote:

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Picked up a set of Schwalbe Winter tires, and they seem to do the trick. But, damn are they heavy.

Rule #5.

B

[vvill]

The more you ride on them, the easiest it’ll get – and when you go back to skinny slicks you’ll be stronger!

[dagamon]

@brendan 106234 wrote:

Rule #5.

HTFU. Check.

[Author]

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