When to Ditch the Studded Snow Tires
#26
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Rode in with studs today. Glad I did. All that melting snow during the day produced a nice glaze on many parts of the road and trail this morning. In fact, I had to dismount and walk on a few sections. Studded tires are no match against frozen puddles. I almost went down one time, even with one foot planted on the ground. The ride home was horrendous, not only because of the wind (30-40 kph sustained winds) in my face, but the studs didn't help matters. So frustrated with these conditions!
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hmmm wonder if there was enough snow to close up the tread blocks lifting the bike off the studs. I've had that happen. guess that would be a good reason for a more open/aggressive tread. or was it just ice? cuz then I'm surprised cuz I remember very clearly sticking well to some ice this winter
It was similar to this situation on my way home, except the puddly parts were frozen.
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I'd already erased this morning's footage.
Last edited by mcours2006; 04-19-18 at 06:58 PM.
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I’m declaring it over here in SE MI. First morning in a week I didn’t wake up to overcast and frozen precip. It hit 55 today with all-day sun. Instead of sitting under cover with feathers puffed out for warmth, the robins were busy gathering twigs and dried grasses this morning. It can only get better from here.
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these are the used tires they replaced due to a broken wire bead. I think the studs still had life in them tho
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Are you keeping the pressure high? I have the 4-row Schwalbes in 26x2, so maybe it's a different situation.
But I do get significantly better ice performance when I run a significantly lower pressure (say in the middle of the recommended range or below).
But I do get significantly better ice performance when I run a significantly lower pressure (say in the middle of the recommended range or below).
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If I'm honest I'm probably running them at a higher pressure than is optimal for ice. They are probably optimized for riding on dry bare pavement.
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Well, at least warmer weather is coming!
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OP, the answer is today!
Last Friday was, hopefully the last time this season that I will need to have studs on my tires. Rode in on my road bike with 23/25 mm tires. Sooo nice!
Last Friday was, hopefully the last time this season that I will need to have studs on my tires. Rode in on my road bike with 23/25 mm tires. Sooo nice!
#35
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Thanks everyone for the reply. Yes, I agree with mcours, I took them off roughly April 23, because it was threatening to snow the entire month of April, and then I didn't have time to take them off.
I ALWAYS find an excuse to patronize my local bike store, he gave me some gear for next winter at 75% off. Can't beat that. And my mechanic said he also bikes to work in the winter. So we bonded a bit.
I guess my original concern was in terms of wearing down the studs before the next winter, but you're right, it's not worth getting a stupid injury if I took them off too soon
Not sure if this was directed at me ... I DO ride them with the recommended pressure setting because I'm biking on pavement all winter. Actually, they were blowing tubes when they were getting too low, the mechanic thought that the studs were getting pressed into the tubes and causing a blow out. That's what actually prompted me to break down and finally buy that electric air pump for bicycles. Haven't had any problems since.
I ALWAYS find an excuse to patronize my local bike store, he gave me some gear for next winter at 75% off. Can't beat that. And my mechanic said he also bikes to work in the winter. So we bonded a bit.
I guess my original concern was in terms of wearing down the studs before the next winter, but you're right, it's not worth getting a stupid injury if I took them off too soon
Not sure if this was directed at me ... I DO ride them with the recommended pressure setting because I'm biking on pavement all winter. Actually, they were blowing tubes when they were getting too low, the mechanic thought that the studs were getting pressed into the tubes and causing a blow out. That's what actually prompted me to break down and finally buy that electric air pump for bicycles. Haven't had any problems since.
Last edited by parkbrav; 06-30-18 at 02:57 PM.
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tic toc
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even tho honestly, I had more rides on studs without snow & ice than with. so a cpl more with conditions that aren't deep will be OK
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#42
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I am still going by the "Masters" - April 11 this year - as a guidepost. If it hasn't snowed by then, the studs are likely coming off
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I ditched them this morning. That's only because we've had no precipitation for a week and the road has been clear and dry. The lower than normal temperature is keep the snow and ice solid, so no melting during the day and frozen puddles in the morning. Sooo nice to not ride on studs. I even gained back the 3-4 minutes it took to swap them this morning, and more.
I don't expect this to last though. It'll be another month, at least, until the studs are put away for the season.
I don't expect this to last though. It'll be another month, at least, until the studs are put away for the season.
#44
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I ditched them this morning. That's only because we've had no precipitation for a week and the road has been clear and dry. The lower than normal temperature is keep the snow and ice solid, so no melting during the day and frozen puddles in the morning. Sooo nice to not ride on studs. I even gained back the 3-4 minutes it took to swap them this morning, and more.
I don't expect this to last though. It'll be another month, at least, until the studs are put away for the season.
I don't expect this to last though. It'll be another month, at least, until the studs are put away for the season.
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I pulled them off of the winter wheelset of my cross bike this morning. If I’m so inclined I’ll put them back on. I mounted a fresh set of 32mm Panarscer Gravel Kings. Inaugural ride tomorrow morning. I’ll wait another month or so before mounting my summer wheelset.
#46
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I wait for a time when no ice or snow are forecast for 10 days and the average lows beyond the forecast period are well above freezing. This method has one drawback -- I always leave them on too long or take them off too soon. This year, I took them off two weeks ago, and my timing was perfect. I love the feeling of smooth rolling.
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I actually got a few rides in without studs over the weekend and only encountered one little patch of ice on the road. Woohoo!
The studs are staying on my winter bike for a while, though. Sometimes we get blasted again in April. I'm not too motivated to do anything much until the ice melts off the driveway.
The studs are staying on my winter bike for a while, though. Sometimes we get blasted again in April. I'm not too motivated to do anything much until the ice melts off the driveway.
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planning 1st non studded ride on Sunday. but contemplating a last ride with studs, tonight, in search of lingering ice, on shady dirt trails, down by the river. or maybe I'll just be lazy & swap the tires tonight ... wondering if I'm sad, or glad to be moving on ...
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Last three days have been without studs but I don't expect to put them away for good yet. I'd been contemplating using my non-winter road bike the last three days but did not on account of the tires not having an puncture-proofness. The road surface condition has deteriorated greatly due to potholes and ruts in the asphalt, so not sure I want to be riding with skinny tires just yet, especially in the morning when I can't see a damn thing.
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