Studded tires on bike child trailer?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 47
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Studded tires on bike child trailer?
Hi!
I have been commuting several winters and I know my way around studded tires vs. normal tires and different combinations thereof
This is however the first winter I need to shuttle my son to daycare, hence the question:
Do you think it is necessary having studded tires on the bike trailer, beside on the bike? I usually use a child bike seat (those you attach to the seat tube) in normal weather conditions, but I thought with icy conditions a trailer would be safer. If I fall, the trailer is already on the ground and it's not going to fall.
However, is there a risk the trailer with normal tires may "slide away" (e.g. when I brake or coast) thus taking me down with it? Or that when I brake I loose control over the trailer? The trailer's tires don't lean in corners, so in a way they do not need the same grip as bike's tires but that does not mean they cant skid... Should I not use the trailer (especially with a kid in it) at all during the winter? It is a short 1.1 km (0.7 miles) ride, but with a couple of 90 degrees turns which in icy conditions are not nice at all...
Appreciate your thoughts on this!
I have been commuting several winters and I know my way around studded tires vs. normal tires and different combinations thereof
This is however the first winter I need to shuttle my son to daycare, hence the question:
Do you think it is necessary having studded tires on the bike trailer, beside on the bike? I usually use a child bike seat (those you attach to the seat tube) in normal weather conditions, but I thought with icy conditions a trailer would be safer. If I fall, the trailer is already on the ground and it's not going to fall.
However, is there a risk the trailer with normal tires may "slide away" (e.g. when I brake or coast) thus taking me down with it? Or that when I brake I loose control over the trailer? The trailer's tires don't lean in corners, so in a way they do not need the same grip as bike's tires but that does not mean they cant skid... Should I not use the trailer (especially with a kid in it) at all during the winter? It is a short 1.1 km (0.7 miles) ride, but with a couple of 90 degrees turns which in icy conditions are not nice at all...
Appreciate your thoughts on this!
#2
Senior Member
When you consider the fun you've had in a tube behind a boat, you won't put studs on the trailer's tires. LOL
Honestly, as much as we talk about our tires skidding out from under us, they probably don't skid much before gravity takes over and down we go, skidding/sliding the tires even more. Therefore, although skidding might occur with a trailer too, in my estimation it will be very limited and it certainly won't result in a spill.
All that being said, this is your child, I'm sure I speak for everyone in saying that you need to do what makes you most comfortable.
Honestly, as much as we talk about our tires skidding out from under us, they probably don't skid much before gravity takes over and down we go, skidding/sliding the tires even more. Therefore, although skidding might occur with a trailer too, in my estimation it will be very limited and it certainly won't result in a spill.
All that being said, this is your child, I'm sure I speak for everyone in saying that you need to do what makes you most comfortable.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 860
Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Liked 109 Times
in
82 Posts
That's certainly an interesting question! Other than braking causing jack-knifing, your other scenario of going around a curve and have it slide out and pull you over seems valid to me. Ideally you could fit brakes on the trailer wheels and use it to do all the braking. (Check out tandem hardware for cable connections, as some tandems have frame connectors to break them down for travel.)
Your best bet might be to just make a trial run with a kid-equivalent weight and see how it handles.
Your best bet might be to just make a trial run with a kid-equivalent weight and see how it handles.
#4
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,536
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 320 Post(s)
Liked 179 Times
in
116 Posts
IMHO, I don't think you'd need studded tires on the trailer. You're not relying on the trailer wheels for traction, and at the slower speeds you'd be riding at in icy conditions I don't think there'd be enough lateral motion to make the trailer come around on you. It might slide a bit but I'd be surprised if it was enough to cause you issues.
But +1 on the recommendation to load up the trailer with some weight and take it on a test run just to be sure.
But +1 on the recommendation to load up the trailer with some weight and take it on a test run just to be sure.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Likes For Tundra_Man:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Unless you're consistently riding on glare ice (doubtful), you don't have to worry about the trailer sliding out from behind you. Besides, you won't be going fast enough to make it slide out anyway (squirmy kids are hard to go fast with.)
#7
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
I use a two-wheeled trailer, hooked up to a mountain bike with studded tires, for hauling groceries and other large items all winter. I considered studded tires, but after finding that the slicks it came with sailed nicely through snow, decided against it. I've had no issues with cornering or having the trailer slide out.
That said, the only spill I took last winter was *with* the trailer attached. I had loaded up about 65 pounds and was riding a bit too close to the curb - one of the tires got stuck in an ice rut, and down I went.
The good news (from the perspective of child safety) is that the trailer stayed upright. Lesson learned!
That said, the only spill I took last winter was *with* the trailer attached. I had loaded up about 65 pounds and was riding a bit too close to the curb - one of the tires got stuck in an ice rut, and down I went.
The good news (from the perspective of child safety) is that the trailer stayed upright. Lesson learned!
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 47
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for all replies! I think the trail run is a valid idea. Also good to know others' experience with trailers on ice
Installing tandem-like brakes is not an option as I would need to disconnect them each morning when I leave the trailer at daycare and ride on to the office... believe me it is enough of a PITA already to attach and unattach the trailer each time.
I once had my own bike jack-knifing on me when I was riding with studded tire on front wheel and MTB tire on back wheel on a large patch of ice offroad - not a likely scenario with the trailer
Installing tandem-like brakes is not an option as I would need to disconnect them each morning when I leave the trailer at daycare and ride on to the office... believe me it is enough of a PITA already to attach and unattach the trailer each time.
I once had my own bike jack-knifing on me when I was riding with studded tire on front wheel and MTB tire on back wheel on a large patch of ice offroad - not a likely scenario with the trailer
#9
Banned
surge braking is mechanically pretty simple [to a mechanic] the bike stopping, the trailer catching up
the closing speed difference operates the brakes on the trailer , with a linkage lever..
the closing speed difference operates the brakes on the trailer , with a linkage lever..
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
My question would be whether studded tires for a bike trailer would even be available - I've never heard of them making them. No point investing a lot of time into figure out whether you need something you cannot actually get.
Rather than studded tires, I suggest a 5 point safety harness for your kid, a rollbar on the trailer, and a automatic quick release for the trailer if it starts to slide. Add some excitement for your kid for the morning commute. ;-)
(Obviously I'm kidding on that last part but it was amusing mental picture).
Rather than studded tires, I suggest a 5 point safety harness for your kid, a rollbar on the trailer, and a automatic quick release for the trailer if it starts to slide. Add some excitement for your kid for the morning commute. ;-)
(Obviously I'm kidding on that last part but it was amusing mental picture).
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Edmonton, Ab
Posts: 153
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My kid hauling trailer has 20" wheels and Schwalbe makes their studded Winter Marathons in that size - I've seen them used locally on folding bikes. I don't think they'd actually be necessary for winter trailer usage, but they are available.
#12
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hi All,
I see the thread is a few years old but had a similar question in my mind to Gatto Karma with the little one in the trailer if studs are worth doing on the trailer.
-I'm wondering if the weight of the trailer plus child actually causes the studs to be effective when riding or if the whole load is to light to have them bite into the ice, or if I should look at some wider tires so that they float a little easier over the ruts in the snow/ice?
-Also wondering if anyone has actually tried studs on a trailer and what their experiences are?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Flanders
I see the thread is a few years old but had a similar question in my mind to Gatto Karma with the little one in the trailer if studs are worth doing on the trailer.
-I'm wondering if the weight of the trailer plus child actually causes the studs to be effective when riding or if the whole load is to light to have them bite into the ice, or if I should look at some wider tires so that they float a little easier over the ruts in the snow/ice?
-Also wondering if anyone has actually tried studs on a trailer and what their experiences are?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Flanders
#13
The Fat Guy In The Back
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 2,536
Bikes: '81 Panasonic Sport, '02 Giant Boulder SE, '08 Felt S32, '10 Diamondback Insight RS, '10 Windsor Clockwork, '15 Kestrel Evoke 3.0, '19 Salsa Mukluk
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 320 Post(s)
Liked 179 Times
in
116 Posts
Hi All,
I see the thread is a few years old but had a similar question in my mind to Gatto Karma with the little one in the trailer if studs are worth doing on the trailer.
-I'm wondering if the weight of the trailer plus child actually causes the studs to be effective when riding or if the whole load is to light to have them bite into the ice, or if I should look at some wider tires so that they float a little easier over the ruts in the snow/ice?
-Also wondering if anyone has actually tried studs on a trailer and what their experiences are?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Flanders
I see the thread is a few years old but had a similar question in my mind to Gatto Karma with the little one in the trailer if studs are worth doing on the trailer.
-I'm wondering if the weight of the trailer plus child actually causes the studs to be effective when riding or if the whole load is to light to have them bite into the ice, or if I should look at some wider tires so that they float a little easier over the ruts in the snow/ice?
-Also wondering if anyone has actually tried studs on a trailer and what their experiences are?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Flanders
However if you're planning on hauling a child in the winter, please keep in mind that while the person powering the bicycle is generating a lot of body heat and is toasty warm, the child in the trailer is not generating any body heat. They're just sitting there and freezing in the windchill. I personally wouldn't pull a child in a trailer more than about a mile if the temp is below freezing.
__________________
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
Visit me at the Tundra Man Workshop
#14
Hack
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,277
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 349 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times
in
135 Posts
My opinion on this hasn't changed since my earlier post: I do not think studs on a trailer would provide any benefit.
However if you're planning on hauling a child in the winter, please keep in mind that while the person powering the bicycle is generating a lot of body heat and is toasty warm, the child in the trailer is not generating any body heat. They're just sitting there and freezing in the windchill. I personally wouldn't pull a child in a trailer more than about a mile if the temp is below freezing.
However if you're planning on hauling a child in the winter, please keep in mind that while the person powering the bicycle is generating a lot of body heat and is toasty warm, the child in the trailer is not generating any body heat. They're just sitting there and freezing in the windchill. I personally wouldn't pull a child in a trailer more than about a mile if the temp is below freezing.
#15
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,554
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 513 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7372 Post(s)
Liked 2,524 Times
in
1,467 Posts
Boy, you Canadians and Minnesotans really give me chuckles. And I suppose it's because I haven't experienced "real winters."
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#16
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Saw this in my FB feed.
Studded tires on any bike trailer for sure.
Dan
Studded tires on any bike trailer for sure.
Dan