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 Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 21, 2010 at 7:23am

I am going with a dedicated set of wheels for my home-made studded tires and swapping the entire wheel out when necessary.

 

Nice deal on those tires -were they used?  Still a smoking deal.  Wish I would have seen them first. I've gotta keep a closer eye on CL it seems.  I so would have sniped those out from under you had I seen them (but only if they were 559mm tires to fit my rims, of course)

Permalink Reply by S on December 21, 2010 at 7:50am

Just a fyi,  it looks like those tires use steel studs.  You'll need to be on the look out for wear and tear on the those studs and the studs may wear out before the tire's rubber is worn out.  FWIW, the better studded tires (schwalbe, nokian) use carbide studs which are harder and last until the rubber on the tire is worn out.

Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on December 21, 2010 at 4:05pm
I bought some Kelvar tires from the same guy in the spring. He works at a bike shop. So, these are supposed to be brand new. Due to the low price I may pick them up tomorrow.
Permalink Reply by ambimb on December 22, 2010 at 1:00am
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 Mark Newald on December 22, 2010 at 1:35am
That is my concern. I am from Michigan, so yes ice does exist. I see it mostly as I ride on the shoulder. A good portion may be clear, but then there are patches of ice. I was just wondering if the studs helped enough to make up when conditions are clear.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on December 22, 2010 at 4:20am

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?

I do a lot of riding on the LFP.  While the park district does a great job of clearing the path, there are always spots that get icy, and days when those spots seem to be all over the path.  I've learned the hard way that those icy spots can cause some nasty falls.  For those spots and those days, the studded tires are worth the added resistance I get on my ride.  I even encounter spots downtown where I'm glad I have the studs.

 

I find that I ride markedly slower in the winter anyway (even when I'm not rocking the studded tires), and I have grown to appreciate the added grip (i.e. some grip) when I hit a big ice patch.  I'm just too old to take a full body slam on the ice when my tire flips out.  The studded tires (Schwalbe Marathon Winters) help minimize those situations.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 22, 2010 at 4:34am

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 Liz on December 22, 2010 at 4:39am
Ice actually existed on the city streets today.  Even with plowed and salted main roads, side streets are not plowed and the warm temps last night left just enough water for there to be an ice layer on a lot of roads and bike lanes that "look clear". I'm starting to wish I didn't have a 27" rear wheel so I could have some studded tires on my commuter.

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 Juan 2-3 or more mi. on December 22, 2010 at 5:45am
I own a pair of Nokian tires. They cost me $80.00. In my second year of using them I have a love hate relationship with them. I love the way they grip the ice in those icy alleyways and surprize patches, but I hate how slow they are. My legs are stronger from it last year, so around this time of year I must add 10-20 minutes to my commute.
Permalink Reply by Mark Newald on December 22, 2010 at 9:12am
Thanks all. I am picking them up tomorrow. The extra protection from falls seems worth it for $40. And on really clear days I will ride my road bike.
Permalink Reply by Martin Hazard on December 22, 2010 at 11:36am

The Innova studded tires use steel studds. I burned through a brand new rear by mid Jan a couple years ago. The slightly used (when I got it) front Nokian is still perfect, no missing studds, and in (very limited) use today. Keep in mind this was an every day winter commuter. The Innova was replaced with a Schwable Marathon Winter, that is now in front. The Marathon is lighter, has lower rolling resistance, can run a higher PSI, a puncture resistant liner, and better stud distribution.

Studded tires are very limited in their use. If you ride sidewalks, alleys, bike paths, or under-maintained side streets with regularity, they are great. However, in several years of either constant, or intermitant use, I can only think of a couple rare ocasions where they were a benefit on normal roads. More often they were a detriment in really adverse heavy snow conditions. Slicks work far better in active snow conditions. Studs are not ideal for most peoples day to day use, and are best relegated to a spare wheel set, or as I have, a dedicated studded bike.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 22, 2010 at 11:40am

I think it also depends on what kind of rider you are.  If you stick to the main streets they are fairly  well-plowed and salted -but are full of crazy drivers slipping and sliding at times.

 

If you like to get off the main streets and away from traffic the situations changes very quickly to the point where studs are more useful/necessary.

 

I really don't like battling cars on snowy main arterial streets when there is white stuff falling.  Call me a wussy if you want...

 

Martin Hazard said:

The Innova studded tires use steel studds. I burned through a brand new rear by mid Jan a couple years ago. The slightly used (when I got it) front Nokian is still perfect, no missing studds, and in (very limited) use today. Keep in mind this was an every day winter commuter. The Innova was replaced with a Schwable Marathon Winter, that is now in front. The Marathon is lighter, has lower rolling resistance, can run a higher PSI, a puncture resistant liner, and better stud distribution.

Studded tires are very limited in their use. If you ride sidewalks, alleys, bike paths, or under-maintained side streets with regularity, they are great. However, in several years of either constant, or intermitant use, I can only think of a couple rare ocasions where they were a benefit on normal roads. More often they were a detriment in really adverse heavy snow conditions. Slicks work far better in active snow conditions. Studs are not ideal for most peoples day to day use, and are best relegated to a spare wheel set, or as I have, a dedicated studded bike.

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