What tyres for icy ...
 

What tyres for icy winter commuter

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Turns out that Gatorskins are total bobbins in slippy conditions.

Any suggestions on a more grippy 700x32c tyre with a bit of nobble?
I have for a pair of Kenda small block 8's in the garage but they seem to be very puncture prone. I had been debating some sort of tubeless tyre. So now I'm wondering if a gravel tyre might be a good choice.
My commute is entirely tarmac but I have one of two slides each year which I'm starting to get bored of.
Thanks in advance.


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 10:07 pm
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15 bucks ?.Spiked

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-winter-spike-k-guard-road-tyre/rp-prod118113?gs=1&sku=sku425045&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=base&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7I63mP_0-wIVke3tCh3j3wkAEAQYAyABEgKZdvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
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I need 29ers and bloody naturally they're bloody well 70 quid a bloody throw. 🙁


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 10:13 pm
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Durano on mine. But there are three of them to avoid falling over. Gatorskins are terrible in all conditions.


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 10:58 pm
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I need 29ers and bloody naturally they’re bloody well 70 quid a bloody throw.

I've a pair that I may be getting rid of, I've decided I'm getting to old for this malarky........


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 10:59 pm
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Thanks for the offer but I just hit buy this afternoon.

They will arrive thanks to the postal strike just as the big thaw starts 😆


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 11:08 pm
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Those cheap spikes look good. How are they on tarmac? Are they just for full ice and snow, or ok when it's patchy?


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 11:26 pm
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Thinking of my old Gatorskins in the wet is enough to give me the shivers. Ice would be unthinkable.

On the plus side: just about anything you can buy would be an improvement.


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 11:47 pm
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I may be interested murdooverthehill


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 11:47 pm
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These might be of interest
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/1965687668?iid=334661037084


 
Posted : 12/12/2022 11:52 pm
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I am currently thinking that spikes might be overkill. I only really get about 2 weeks of icy conditions. So I was thinking of something low rolling resistance but with some nobbles for the odd sketchy patch.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 9:40 am
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IME on ice nothing works but spike tyres.  But spikes are like magic in that you can ride on black ice normally.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 10:32 am
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With respect I stand up for Gatorskins. Good in dry and wet and acceptable on untreated icy roads too. Having said that no doubt I'll crash on the way home this evening.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 10:37 am
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i had a set of old ice spikes a few years back. They were great when conditions inevitably become hardpack snow to ice, but you still need a bit of speed management when using them, they will break away when you don't want them to, so don't think you'll be riding sheet ice like a normal bike. The only tyres I've used that allow you to ride and corner at seed on sheet ice were home made ice tyres with 10mm screws through them. The difference between the studded tyres 1mm or so spikes and 2-3mm pointy screws is quite noticeable.

I don't advise making spike tyres, they're a pain to make and even more of a pain if you puncture.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 11:58 am
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I used to use these on ice, awesome grip..

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/3443/3260197663_02d9ca9f4a_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/3443/3260197663_02d9ca9f4a_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/5Y6nbx ]Ice tyres[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 4:08 pm
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I bought some of those tyres dyna-ti linked and been using the last week. But bought few months ago at £12 each.

They are not fast tyres added about 10 minutes to my usual hour commute.
Still had some small slides but not come off. Think the pressure might be too high not allowing the the spikes to bite in enough.

Been impressed so far with them making sure I get to work without much drama, surprisingly easy to get on and off to should there be a puncture, it won't be much of a fight.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 4:32 pm
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I stick Schwalbe snow studs (similar to Schwalbe Winters) on at this time of year. Yes they are slow and will add on at least 5 minutes to a commute. I'm commuting semi-off road (paths/shared use/canal) and the tarmac sections get dodgy in the cold - water run off. I'm riding with the studs on the days I'm in the office (3 out of 5).

Some years back (pre broken spine on the commute) I'd use my road bike most of the time, then if it was frosty, out would come the old 90's MTB with the studs. The 'commuter road bike' has gone, and my route is mainly off road, so it's the old bike all the time on studs until March.

Most of the time you won't need them, but they are useful insurance. Drop the pressure a little if cold, so the studs bite. Warmer weather you can pop another 10 PSI in (providing you can't swap tyres/wheels all the time).


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 4:50 pm
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Can you try some of these and feed back to us all?

Home - Modular Zipper Bicycle Tire | reTyre

looks like a great idea.


 
Posted : 13/12/2022 5:20 pm
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Yes they are slow and will add on at least 5 minutes to a commute.

Better than sitting on the snow with a wet bum, holding knee/shin/other hurty bit.


 
Posted : 14/12/2022 2:17 am