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Time for winter tires

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Time for winter tires

Old 10-30-19, 09:50 AM
  #1  
palu
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Time for winter tires

Looking at getting some winter tires. I've been riding GP4000's and some cheap Forte tires. I'd like something a little less prone to flats. I don't skid, do tricks, or whatever kids do these days. Just an older guy putting on long miles year round.

It gets cold here. 12 degrees this morning. Some snow on the ground. It may be a brutal winter. I don't want to be changing tubes at those temps. Just a note: I don't want studs. Not looking for ice tires.

I'm leaning towards Gatorskins in 700x28 or 32. Although the last time I tried a pair, about 10 years ago, I got a flat on the first two consecutive rides. Maybe it was a coincidence/bad luck.

Any other suggestions for those that brave the cold/snow?
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Old 10-31-19, 09:25 AM
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Panaracer Gravel Kings or Pasela Protite
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Old 10-31-19, 10:56 AM
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^^ Both good options. Also, if you're serious about not getting flats through the winter, consider tire liners. They'll be heavy and probably feel sluggish, but as long as you don't get pinches or run over something totally mangling, you're pretty much guaranteed to go flat free for a good while.
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Old 10-31-19, 11:17 AM
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For brutal winters - Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studded
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Old 10-31-19, 12:35 PM
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One of the Marathon Plus models would be good.
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Old 10-31-19, 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Ils
For brutal winters - Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studded
I agree. They are a get out of jail free card. Feels like cheating.
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Old 10-31-19, 10:06 PM
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Ive run Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus for years in the winter. Heavy tires, but ive never had a flat, and you can climb up any ice covered hills. My favorite is passing by the cars that cant get up the hills!
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Old 11-02-19, 06:06 AM
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Gatorskins are pretty hard but they kinda suck on wet roads...
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Old 11-05-19, 12:40 AM
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Is it "I want tires for winter but not studs" season already?
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Old 11-11-19, 07:19 PM
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I bought a pair of Suomi (Nokian) carbide studded tires five years-ago and they remain one of the better bike-related investments I've made. I ride all winter long, even in extremes (-20c), and these things just carry me along regardless of snow or ice build-up. The experience of studded tires in nasty climates is revelatory, it is truly astonishing: You just 'stick' to the road, even when riding on ice, and it awards one a sense of freedom that eludes description.

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Old 11-13-19, 12:15 AM
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Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studs

Esspecally on sheet ice roads ...
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Old 11-22-19, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Ils
For brutal winters - Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studded
They usually are 35mm wide. Can you fit these in a typical fixie?
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Old 11-22-19, 12:40 PM
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Flat after 30km with the GravelKings
I never change my Conti 4seasons no more !
A lot of people ride the Pirelli Cinturato here, but had a lot of flats with those to.
With the 4seasons only 2 times in 2 years.
Downside: poor grip, and heavy.

Anyway, the best compromise for me...
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Old 11-23-19, 09:56 AM
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I've never ridden with studded tires. How are they on dry roads?
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Old 11-24-19, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by GeezyRider
I've never ridden with studded tires. How are they on dry roads?
They are OK, but different. There is a little unsettled feeling and they are noisy. I have a hybrid bike that I use just in iffy situations so I don't ride them on dry roads much. I kinda like the ZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZ noise they make
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Old 11-26-19, 04:49 PM
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Conti Top Contact Winters. I have 2 sets of Gatorskins and love them, but wouldn't ride them in snowy weather.
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Old 12-02-19, 05:22 AM
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Snow today in the Philadelphia suburbs. Time to break out the snow bike :-)
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