Its that time of year again!

[Buck91]

Starting to plan for the winter commuting season. Last year was my first year running studs but I made the mistake of running 26x2.1 Kenda Klondikes and lemm tell ya not only were they heavy (spec 1200 grams!) but they were SLOW and a real bear in deep snow (seriously, one of the worst tires I've used!). Learning from that experience this year I plan on rocking out 700C studs but I'm torn. Sure the majority of commuting TENDS to be dry pavement, but I'm obviously willing to sack a little speed for security and traction otherwise I wouldn't be going studded. I'm pretty torn between the Nokian Hakkapeliitta W106 and the W240.

I like that the W106 is 700x35, fairly light and cheap. The stud count seems appropriet as I can always throw my klondikes on my 26'er for trail fun. Has anybody used these in snow? The tread pattern looks a little weak, but then again some of the best tires I've riden in snow didn't look like they would work but do to the lack of width turned out great.

The other option is the W240. Now, I love the tread pattern on these, but I fear they will be a repeat of the Klondike's as they have a full four rows of studs across the width an are spec'd with only 12 fewer studs than my klondikes. Can anyone comment on rolling resistance and snow traction? I really enjoyed having ZERO issue with icey conditions, and even playing on some local lakes a few times but that is something I'm willing to settle on ya know?

[SteveF]

It is most certainly NOT that time of year again (yet). There are still many, many warm days to come this year. But thank you from the bottom of my wool long johns for the reminder...there, got that off my chest!

Now, I can't speak to the 700c studded tires you mention, but I can speak to winter commuting in general. First, studs do nothing in snow--they're meant for ice. They don't detract from snow performance, but they don't add anything to snow performance, either, and offer nothing but weight and noise and decreased cornering traction on pavement. So, since winter road conditions change daily here, anything you try will be a compromise.

If you're mainly worried about snow, and seldom encounter ice, studs really aren't necessary. There are two schools of thought re snow commuting. Some run narrow tires to cut through it to the street, some run fat, low pressure tires to float over it. It depends on the prevailing conditions where you live. Powdery stuff, try to cut through it with skinnies--crusty stuff might be better to try and float over with fatties. Mostly pavement with occasional icy patches, run the minimal studs for low weight and rolling resistance, and a bit of security over the ice.

I've run Mount and Ground studded 26er's on my commuters the last couple of winters and they've been ok. Fat, aggressive knobbies worked as well or better seasons past in snow, but the occasional icy patch encouraged me to switch to the studded tires. Skinny slicks work well in light, powdery stuff. It's really a crap shoot at least some days every winter! I only live two miles from work, so sometimes I just walk or even cross country ski.

Have you read Peter White's studded tire essay? It's pretty informative:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

And if you find the perfect tire for all winter conditions, pleas post up!

[Buck91]

This isn't my first winter riding, but the rehash of studs usefulness and limitations will of no doubt be valuable to others. Again, hoping somebody here can comment on the Nokian W106 vs. the W240 on commuter bikes that see mostly open pavement but also everything from deep snowy roads to icey footprint rutted siewalks and plow mounds.

[okeja]

I rode with Nokkian studded tires on my commuter for a couple weeks one winter. 700c and they were borrowed - I do not remember the model or stud count, sorry.

Hated it
Heavy
Felt like riding with the brakes on
Sketchy on pavement
Did not handle snow any different than my normal commuter tires
Nice on ice <grin> and on very hard packed - of course... but the trade off not worth it to me


My commute is country road to urban road. No city. The roads are mostly plowed; the ice I encounter is lumpy and patchy so I really do not have use for the benefit that studs can offer.