Innova Studded Tires

I found a new pair of Innova Studded tires on Craigslist for $40. for the pair. Seems like a great deal. I am just not sure if I really need them. My hybrid has knobby tires already. Most of my winter ride the pavement is clear. Do these make your ride slower when on dry pavement? Are they worth the hassle of switching them out? I know there are times I have to walk my bike or go slow beacause of ice or snow.......

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Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on December 22, 2010 at 1:16pm
If it is snowing so badly that cars are sliding, the side streets will be untouched, and covered with fresh snow. Again, no advantage for studs, even on formerly icy side streets with  more than 1/2" snow over the ice, and there will be if the main streets are that bad. Slicks will be better if there is no ice under the snow, but if there is, you best walk. I have tried this all.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 22, 2010 at 1:38pm

I guess it comes down to that Need/Want equation.

 

Maybe I don't NEED studded tires but I WANT to have them. 

Permalink Reply by J on December 22, 2010 at 1:56pm

I've posted elsewhere on studded tires. I concur with the others who've posted here -- they are useful in some (but not all) very wintry conditions, but not all studded tires are alike. 

The Innovas are basically a cheap $10 tire with a heavy unsupple casing and steel studs that wear quickly and fall out, as noted above. For those seeking a less expensive alternative to Schwalbe and Nokian -- Kenda has a new line of studded tires with carbide studs. The rubber and casing itself isn't that hot, but at least they should prove durable.

Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on December 22, 2010 at 2:48pm
Yes, it is nice to know that I have that studded bike, even though I dont use it often. No argument there. There will come the ice storm days, there are always some:)
Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on December 22, 2010 at 4:17pm
One last thought, can you use the studded tire on just the back , or do you have to do both to make the ride smooth?
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 22, 2010 at 4:24pm
If you go with only wheel it has to be the front.  You really don't need the rear -but it does help.  Going with just the rear is only good if you have extra teeth you don't want/need...

Mark Newald said:
One last thought, can you use the studded tire on just the back , or do you have to do both to make the ride smooth?
Permalink Reply by Alistair Stewart on December 23, 2010 at 4:54am

If anyone is interested, I have two 700c 35mm Innova tires FS. One never mounted ($25) and one with <20 miles ($20).

Contact me at "pairs4life~atsymbol~aol~dot~com"

Thanks,

Alistair

Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on January 3, 2011 at 12:03pm
Well, I bought the tires and put them on my hybrid. Today was the first test. This morning the roads were clear. The ride seemed a little stiff, and was more work. But the real test was when I left work. We had about in inch of new wet, slippery snow. These tires rocked! I never felt the bike slip once. Cars were slipping all over. So, early review is I really like them.
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 3, 2011 at 12:52pm

Did it snow today?  I was just out riding a couple of hours ago and there was zero precip (no snow, ice, rain -nothing) in Logan Square, Bucktown or Wicker Park.


Mark Newald said:

 

Well, I bought the tires and put them on my hybrid. Today was the first test. This morning the roads were clear. The ride seemed a little stiff, and was more work. But the real test was when I left work. We had about in inch of new wet, slippery snow. These tires rocked! I never felt the bike slip once. Cars were slipping all over. So, early review is I really like them.
Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on January 3, 2011 at 1:23pm

James, I am from Michigan, so our weather is different. We get that Lake Effect Snow......

Permalink Reply by Alec Boyle on January 4, 2011 at 5:13am
See, I don't understand this - I routinely ride across patches of ice that are bigger than the wheel base of my bike without any difficulty - its only when I cross patches of ice that are several bike-lengths across that I have any trouble.  Is this more a problem that people have because they're riding on slicks?

James Baum said:

The funny thing about ice is that it only takes a little to put you on your face if you don't see it under a dusting of snow that you THOUGHT wasn't "that bad."

 

I don't think an ice tire is necessary most of the time in the city -but there are times when having a set on wheels ready to go might be the difference between going out
or not.

 

My current set-up is costing me about $50 including the wheels to set up.  I probably won't even put them on but a couple of times -but what the heck, if they make me happy what is it to
anyone else.

 

I don't go around telling people they don't "need" fixed-gear bikes, tall bikes, recumbants, tandems...

 

Sure I might not understand -but if it makes them happy then what's the harm?



ambimb said:
I don't understand the studded tires for city riding. If you stay on main roads they're all so heavily salted that ice is never a problem and even the snow is just a mush that regular tires have no trouble biting into or cutting through. Are you guys riding somewhere else where ice actually exists?
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on January 4, 2011 at 5:18am

Ice is not a problem as long as you are not trying to change direction or velocity. 

 

The issue is that it is isn't always apparent when hidden by a dusting of snow.  If you try to brake or turn when on it you are in trouble. 

 

If the roads were empty of cars darting in front of you and didn't ever have turns or other obstacles it wouldn't be an issue.  Unfortunately you can't choose to have the right-hook auto pull their bone-headed maneuver on the far or near side of that ice-slick...

 

Alec Boyle said:

See, I don't understand this - I routinely ride across patches of ice that are bigger than the wheel base of my bike without any difficulty - its only when I cross patches of ice that are several bike-lengths across that I have any trouble.  Is this more a problem that people have because they're riding on slicks?

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