Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Winter Cycling
Reload this Page >

Tires for winter

Notices
Winter Cycling Don't let snow and ice discourage you this winter. The key element to year-round cycling is proper attire! Check out this winter cycling forum to chat with other ice bike fanatics.

Tires for winter

Old 08-03-22, 06:16 PM
  #1  
Azriel
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Tires for winter

I'm guessing thicker tires are better for winter?
Azriel is offline  
Likes For Azriel:
Old 08-03-22, 08:06 PM
  #2  
Steve B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,826

Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3185 Post(s)
Liked 2,020 Times in 1,158 Posts
Originally Posted by Azriel
I'm guessing thicker tires are better for winter?
Well, that'll keep the air warmer.

Actually I read that a tire like the Continental Grand Prix 4 Season uses a different rubber compound then their 5000, specifically for off season and winter conditions. I know that some winter specific auto tires use a softer rubber for ice. Ive no idea if the Conti winter tires work better, I use the 4 Seasons year round as they are durable.
Steve B. is offline  
Old 08-04-22, 10:22 AM
  #3  
MNBikeCommuter
Senior Member
 
MNBikeCommuter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 852

Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times in 80 Posts
Originally Posted by Azriel
I'm guessing thicker tires are better for winter?
Much depends on your location and the winter conditions. It's hard to answer without that info.
MNBikeCommuter is offline  
Likes For MNBikeCommuter:
Old 08-08-22, 02:01 AM
  #4  
murphyqin
Newbie
 
murphyqin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 11

Bikes: 3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Choice for Winter mountain bike tire

1, choose the tire with a large amount of rubber, the better the rubber, the better its anti-slip performance, very suitable for cold winter.
2. Choose as wide a tire as your mountain bike's rear fork allows. That you still don't believe, the more wide tyre, the greater the contact area of tire body and the ground, so you even in wet rain and snow weather ride, it's slippery ability must be better than the narrow tire
3, choose spend relatively coarse tires, especially tire internal fine grain, coarser tires, tire flower edge texture among this kind of tyre can quickly cut loose pavement surface, Let the tires reach the hard surface quickly.
Our bikes can also be like cars, with two sets of tires, the winter with anti-skid tires, other seasons with small pattern fuel-saving tires.
murphyqin is offline  
Old 09-05-22, 09:34 AM
  #5  
parkbrav
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 462
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 114 Times in 97 Posts
Great thread, as it is now time to start looking for deals on winter cycling tires
parkbrav is offline  
Old 09-05-22, 09:09 PM
  #6  
2_i 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,694

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times in 247 Posts
Originally Posted by parkbrav
Great thread, as it is now time to start looking for deals on winter cycling tires
The best time is when winter starts winding down.
2_i is offline  
Likes For 2_i:
Old 09-06-22, 03:55 AM
  #7  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
rumrunn6 is offline  
Likes For rumrunn6:
Old 09-06-22, 04:59 PM
  #8  
parkbrav
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 462
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 114 Times in 97 Posts
Originally Posted by 2_i
The best time is when winter starts winding down.
haha, touche. Funny thing is, I think we're both right.

And both wrong. With costs so high these days, there's never a right time to buy anything
parkbrav is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 05:44 PM
  #9  
2_i 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,694

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times in 247 Posts
Originally Posted by parkbrav
With costs so high these days, there's never a right time to buy anything
Indeed, any predictions are quite fragile now. But, if I may add what worked in the past, it is looking into German vendors as the winter was about to close down. It is far more common to ride there in winter, so the winter tires tend generally to be cheaper. If you were buying 2 tires, the savings were easily paying for the shipping. If you were buying 4 tires and selling 2 on Ebay at the start of next winter, you were pretty much getting the 2 other tires for free.
2_i is offline  
Likes For 2_i:
Old 09-06-22, 05:55 PM
  #10  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18320 Post(s)
Liked 4,489 Times in 3,338 Posts
There is a bit of a tendency to get more flats in the winter. So, heavier tires may help a bit.

Nonetheless, there are a lot of variables with many different winter conditions, as well as what kind of bike you're riding.

The toughest tires I've had were my Michelin Protek Cross Max tires. A bit heavy, and minimum size of about 35mm. But, I never managed to get a flat with them, and they seemed to have great traction in a variety of conditions from wet pavement to slush.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 09-11-22, 07:24 AM
  #11  
KPREN
Full Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Wadsworth, Ohio
Posts: 370

Bikes: 2008 S Works Stumpjumper FSR Carbon, 2016 E Fat Titanium Bike Custom built by me.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 135 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times in 118 Posts
Studded tires is the only way to go in winter. Everything else will put you on the ground sooner or later
KPREN is offline  
Likes For KPREN:
Old 09-11-22, 07:30 AM
  #12  
mdarnton
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 309

Bikes: nothing to brag about

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times in 116 Posts
I ride studs when winter is really bad. They have quite a bit of drag, but when you hit an unexpected spot of ice, feel about a half inch of skid, then the tire locking in, it's a wonderful feeling.
mdarnton is offline  
Old 09-11-22, 09:05 AM
  #13  
2_i 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,694

Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times in 247 Posts
Whenever possible, given the winter conditions and availability for the wheel size, I ride the non-studded Conti TopContact Winter, rather than studded.
2_i is offline  
Likes For 2_i:
Old 09-12-22, 07:05 AM
  #14  
MNBikeCommuter
Senior Member
 
MNBikeCommuter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 852

Bikes: Cannondale '92 T600 '95 H600 '01 RT1000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 89 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times in 80 Posts
Originally Posted by CliffordK
There is a bit of a tendency to get more flats in the winter. So, heavier tires may help a bit.
I've found in MN that the tendency goes down in winter. Crap gets covered up with some snow/ice, snow plows clear off the road, idiots aren't rolling down their windows and chucking beer bottles out, etc.
MNBikeCommuter is offline  
Likes For MNBikeCommuter:
Old 09-21-22, 07:19 PM
  #15  
Everton FC
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 20

Bikes: 1993 Specialized Rockhopper/1989 Norco Cherokee/2005 Trek 6700

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
I'd imagine up here in Alberta, studded tires would be the way to go. Funny how thin 13"-14" car tires on my daughter's old Echo cut through the snow like a knife. But I'd feel safer on my 26er w/at least a 2.0 studded tire. You get a lot of chinooks that turn into black ice over night up here, in the winter. It can go from -30c to +2 in 48 hours, then back down to -15. Studs seem sage. This will be my first winter riding up here. I hike a lot, but I will bike this winter as much as I can. So this thread is quite a good one for me to read through.
Everton FC is offline  
Likes For Everton FC:
Old 09-22-22, 12:44 PM
  #16  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
Originally Posted by Everton FC
I'd imagine up here in Alberta, studded tires would be the way to go. Funny how thin 13"-14" car tires on my daughter's old Echo cut through the snow like a knife. But I'd feel safer on my 26er w/at least a 2.0 studded tire. You get a lot of chinooks that turn into black ice over night up here, in the winter. It can go from -30c to +2 in 48 hours, then back down to -15. Studs seem sage. This will be my first winter riding up here. I hike a lot, but I will bike this winter as much as I can. So this thread is quite a good one for me to read through.
what always seems to get me is: fresh powder over ice. the powder compacts into the treads, so much so, that it renders the studs non-existent & BAM! I go down!

I took this photo shortly before a crash & shoulder injury. how dumb am I?

actually happened twice last winter, once at night

Last edited by rumrunn6; 09-22-22 at 12:59 PM.
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 09-22-22, 05:16 PM
  #17  
stevel610 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,298

Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 364 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times in 239 Posts
Originally Posted by 2_i
Whenever possible, given the winter conditions and availability for the wheel size, I ride the non-studded Conti TopContact Winter, rather than studded.
Me too.
__________________
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
stevel610 is offline  
Likes For stevel610:
Old 09-25-22, 04:40 PM
  #18  
Everton FC
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 20

Bikes: 1993 Specialized Rockhopper/1989 Norco Cherokee/2005 Trek 6700

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
what always seems to get me is: fresh powder over ice. the powder compacts into the treads, so much so, that it renders the studs non-existent & BAM! I go down!

I took this photo shortly before a crash & shoulder injury. how dumb am I?

actually happened twice last winter, once at night
How many of us up here in the Great White North have ended up on our "arse", slipping on black ice covered in "powder"?!

Did the shoulder injury require surgery?
Everton FC is offline  
Old 09-26-22, 09:53 AM
  #19  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
Originally Posted by Everton FC
How many of us up here in the Great White North have ended up on our "arse", slipping on black ice covered in "powder"?! Did the shoulder injury require surgery?
thank you, no
https://www.bikeforums.net/pills-ill...nt-sprain.html
rumrunn6 is offline  
Old 10-03-22, 04:23 AM
  #20  
rumrunn6
Senior Member
 
rumrunn6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,528

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5219 Post(s)
Liked 3,564 Times in 2,331 Posts
just a follow-up cuz I just came across this pic, from last year I think, maybe the year before. regardless, this is easy peasy w/ studs
rumrunn6 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.