When to Ditch the Studded Snow Tires
#51
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the deed is done. after a "season" the studs don't look bad at all. gave the sidewalls a wipedown w protectant & will probably bag them until next winter. made sure to get the rotation correct on their replacements, 29x2.25 Riddlers. funny tho cuz their tread doesn't look obviously directional
#52
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According to my phone's weather app, Monday night is the last time my area will see temps below the freezing point, at least within the next 10 days. Think I'll switch to my Compasses then.
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I've been riding slicks for the past week, but I am still keeping studs on my other bike until April just in case.
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Decided on a compromise for the next few days. Keeping the studded tire on front, switching the rear tire to an old Panaracer Pasela, and bumping up the gearing one notch:
That should let me move a little faster on these warm days, while keeping some bite in the front for the occasional ice patch. Can't hardly wait to switch it all over to fast tires and gearing, though!
That should let me move a little faster on these warm days, while keeping some bite in the front for the occasional ice patch. Can't hardly wait to switch it all over to fast tires and gearing, though!
#55
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Winnipeg here. I still have my studded on. This time of year the road ice is at max danger - wet ice.
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Keep your studded tires on and don't take chances with ice...This morning I've seen an ambulance loading up a guy onto a stretcher after he crashed his bike on large patch of ice. It happened in a Wallmart parking lot, he was riding an old vintage road bike with skinny slicks. He looked like he broke some bone somewhere. He could of easily gone around the ice patch and avoided all the pain. I don't understand why anybody would ride skinny slicks on ice.
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Decided on a compromise for the next few days. Keeping the studded tire on front, switching the rear tire to an old Panaracer Pasela, and bumping up the gearing one notch:
That should let me move a little faster on these warm days, while keeping some bite in the front for the occasional ice patch. Can't hardly wait to switch it all over to fast tires and gearing, though!
That should let me move a little faster on these warm days, while keeping some bite in the front for the occasional ice patch. Can't hardly wait to switch it all over to fast tires and gearing, though!
#58
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All right, despite my previous proclamation to the contrary I'm just going to call it--it's time. Looking at the long term forecast I think we can put away them studs for good this season. Winter is done!
#60
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Even though my winter fat bike is at the shop for end of season adjustments and tuneup, I've been riding my beater mtn bike with studded tires. Still patches of ice and slush on the trails where the shade throughout the day prevents direct sunlight from melting the ice away.
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My route as well, but I can't justify suffering through 19.4 km with studs on clean pavement just so I can ride through 0.02 km of ice patches which may or may not be present. I just get off and walk those patches.
#62
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just spouting off a little bit...the ground still may be frozen, which means that any runoff or precipitation COULD freeze or refreeze
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Studded tires are great, but they aren't the only things that matter in winter riding. Exercising common sense and some caution can go a long way in averting trouble. As I said, there are ice patches on my route which I can clearly see. If I cannot avoid it by going around it I'd dismount and walk it, which I have done. But it's no more than a few dozen meters or so, and they are becoming more and more rare with the weather improving.
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it helps to remember how much you like your summer tires
#65
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the deed is done. after a "season" the studs don't look bad at all. gave the sidewalls a wipedown w protectant & will probably bag them until next winter. made sure to get the rotation correct on their replacements, 29x2.25 Riddlers. funny tho cuz their tread doesn't look obviously directional
#66
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#67
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Still studs today, and loads of ice. Very glad I kept them on.
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Cross-post from the SS/FG forum. Studs are off, and I'm loving life.
The weather forecast predicts below freezing overnight lows next weekend, but I wasn't planning on riding those nights. The vast majority of my riding is from the late morning to early evening.
The weather forecast predicts below freezing overnight lows next weekend, but I wasn't planning on riding those nights. The vast majority of my riding is from the late morning to early evening.
#69
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Ohhh, that's a nice bike! I notice you have fenders and a rear rack. Is it tricky and time consuming removing the studs with all that gear?
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Nah, I just take the wheels off and swap tires. Nokian Mount & Grounds in the winter, Compass Naches Pass in the summer.
#72
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Ottawa is generally a bit colder than S Ontario, and has a much less significant urban microclimate than the centre of the universe.
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That's what I remember about Ottawa when I lived there in university--that natives refer to Toronto as the centre of the universe. Well, I'm just slightly off centre in the suburbs.
#74
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Ah ok... I do hope your studs remained aligned in the tread (on the rear wheel) unlike mine mentioned in this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cy...ard-tires.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cy...ard-tires.html
#75
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Yesterday the way home I probably could have managed without studs, but the snowbanks are still waist high where they were plowed, knee to thigh elsewhere. The meltwater freezes, so the mornings are all ice, afternoon mostly water. The river pathways likely won't be clear for 3 weeks.
Ottawa is generally a bit colder than S Ontario, and has a much less significant urban microclimate than the centre of the universe.
Ottawa is generally a bit colder than S Ontario, and has a much less significant urban microclimate than the centre of the universe.