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View Full Version : Thoughts on Studded Snow Tires



splat
February 1st, 2003, 09:46 AM
Its that time of year and Yes I have been riding with them!
But I wanted to share some insights on My experiences. I got my Studded Snow Tires back in 1989 ! Got them at the old Bike Nashbar Store in Needham ( remeber that place ? ) a pair of IRC blizzards, I remeber using them the first time and riding on a frozen lake thinking how cool they were. The Bike they were on was a Rigid Stumpjumper! I used them over the years for winter commuting and off road riding , they were great on the snow and Ice . and I have used them over the years, this past winter they were mounted on their 4th different Bike. Then one of our lunchtime rides SloMoJo , came out with his new set of Nokians, and I noticed a few things, Like riding on the road he was making a clattereing sound of the studs on the pavement -- Mine used to do that not any more -- , We hit some Icy patches He went over it great , -- Like I used to be able to do -- , I had a little trouble ( but still better then no studs ) , we went over to a Lake and he was able to ride the section where it was clear -- Like I used to bale to do -- , I just did not have enough grip. So I decided to get a new set of studded tires . This morning I mounted a New set of IRC Sno Mad's. Looking at the studs on the new and old man what a difference I didn't relize how worn down those old studs had gotten, even though the tire still has plenty of tread. Since My drive way has a Nice coating of Ice I Tested them there. I actually did a Before and After test . Before I could Ride across it , and even Turn , and stop with caution . with the new Tires , I could Turn and stop at will . I even locked up the brakes. not only did the studs tear into the Ice , The dug into my Driveway!

I will Hold onto those old IRC Blizzards , they still have tread . But how many People can say they have Tires that have out lasted 4 bikes! or using tires they origianally used 14 years ago!

SloMoJo
February 1st, 2003, 12:48 PM
Hi Buddy!
Glad you're back in town safe&sound.
Very cool you got the studs for tomorrow's ride. :D

Yes, you always seem to get your money's worth out of things. 14 years is probably a record.

Hey, send me a PM on whether you want to drive to Wompi together. I was thinking of leaving like 10am, get there a lil early to spin around and such.
-Jo

bike187
February 1st, 2003, 05:26 PM
has anyone tried the new freddy's reveng tires from nokian? from what i heard the 296's are the way to go but i just want to see what other people think of the freddy revengz's. alos where's the cheapest place to buy them? the cheapest place i've seen the 296 are $80 at bikebarn. i haven't seen them in catalogues at all. any input would be useful.

radair
February 1st, 2003, 07:21 PM
I have a set of Freddie's, and I love 'em. They are definitely a bit heavier than the Hakkas or 296s, but have more studs and are wider.

Can't say anything bad about them, except the rear barely fits my Instinct frame. Smooth ice? No problem!

February 1st, 2003, 08:24 PM
I bought my first set of nokians this season for the Turkey Burner up in N.H. They have been great on ice. They are not without limitations however. Tight turning should be avoided as well as loose packed snow. Those studs cut up snowmobile track into loose granular and leave you pedaling 6 to 1 what you might require on ice.
I am told it is recommended on the manufacturers site to break the tires in on 30 miles of pavement before using on snow and ice. I have inquired of others using the studs and none seemed to have followed that recommendation. "They seem to work fine anyway" is the usual response. I would have spoken similarly if not for a recent experience. Friday I had to have my truck repaired and rode home on the street 14 miles with the studs. Tonight i decided to clean my rims of some contaminant that was interfering with braking and handled the tires with my bare hands as is the norm. After remounting the tires i noticed a scratch on my finger, then another, in fact many, three were even bleeding enough to require further attention. I realize now what happens when you ride the new studs on the road.
:o THEY GET REALLY SHARP :o

With that in mind there are a few other precautions to having 100s of razor pointed carbide pins on a rotating disc hanging around the house.
1. These are not baby proof. Keep the kids away from them
2. Don't practice trac stands on tile/hrdwd/vynal/carpet floor
3. Rubbing the tires against the car is a big no no
4. No bunny hopping the cat
5. They're terrific for grating parmesan, or ice for sno cones.

Yours in safe riding,
bill

splat
February 2nd, 2003, 12:04 AM
4. No bunny hopping the cat

Dam !!!
Thats My favorite trick!

CouchingTiger
February 3rd, 2003, 09:34 AM
If anyone is looking for the Nokian 296's, I noticed that BikeMan (www.bikeman.com) had them for $69/ea. That is a sweet deal.

I've been running these and they are fine for super hardpack but IMHO, I'd like something wider. The Freddy's look good, but are wicked expensive.

-Couch