I commute from Cape Elizabeth to Westbrook weekdays. I decided to try winter commuting this year and yesterday I hit some black ice and had a pretty bad fall. A concussion with 4 stiches above my eye.

I am debating whether to give up commuting until Spring but first I was wondering if studded tires would solve the issue. Does any one ride with studded tires in the winter? If so what brand would you recommend? I am looking at 3 tires..the Nokian Suomi IceSpeed 700 x 40mm, Noian A10 and the Schwalbe 700X35 Marathon Winter.

My winter bike is a Novara big buzz. My summer commuter is a Felt Z85.

Thanks

Sorry to hear about your fall. I hope it doesn't stop you from winter commuting though. I am a huge proponent of studded tires, I ride my bike in figure eights on a local pond to demonstrate how great they are. They also add a huge confidence boost when riding roads that may have lack ice. I am very happy with the Nokian brand that I put on my bike soon and keep on until spring.

I have the Nokian A10's on my bike and they are great. The worst conditions I ever used them in was a weird storm late last winter that completely covered the roads in ice. I let about half the air out, took it easy, and made it home without a problem, passing several motorists in the ditch on the way.

If you haven't already, also check out the "Studs or Not?" thread here.

That sucks. Sounds like you hit your head hard.

I was wondering if studded tires would solve the issue.

OH yeah. Big time. No amount or type of rubber tread will save you on glare ice. Tungsten carbide pins set into the tire with steel studs make all the difference. The Schwalbe Marathon winter and Suomi A10 are designed for icy conditions without snow build up. I rarely encounter those kinds of conditions during a normal winter (ie; not last winter).

I use the Suomi Hakkapelitta W240. Those are most likely the "Ice Speed 700x40" tires you were mentioning. They're available in that size as well as 26x1.9, which I use on my more-or-less "dedicated winter bike." The Hakka W240 have a fairly aggressive tread and have 240 tungsten carbide pinned studs (per tire) along the center as well as along the side knobbies. The more aggressive tread and studs on the sides of the tire allow you to roll out of ruts easily and maintain control in mashed potato conditions (usually caused by other cars on the road).

This will be my second winter on these tires and, especially after seeing a lot of use on bare pavement, they look almost new. In addition to the Hakka 240's, I've also used the Nokian Gaza Extreme 294, Nokian Mount and Ground, Kenda Klondike and Innova studded tires over the past five winters. None of them were abandoned, just passed on to another user who couldn't afford to purchase fresh tires.

BTW, I work at Gorham Bike and Ski's Portland store where we sell the Suomi Hakkapelitta W240 in both sizes as well as an array of other personally tested studded tires that are ideal for local conditions. Come check us out.

GBS studded tire rack (as of about 2 weeks ago)


Close-up of Suomi Hakkapelitta W240 in 700x40c

BTW, the Finnish tire manufacturer, Nokian, is now Suomi. The company has changed in name only and still makes their excellent quality winter tires out of their native Finland. "Suomi" means "Finnish?"

John is right about the A10's. They're great on ice, hardpack, and a few inches of fresh powder.

They aren't so good in rutted ice and snow, mashed potatoes, and deep powder.

I chose them over a more expensive, knobbier tire with a higher stud count because my route is short and quite well-plowed.

Just sold out of the Hakka w240's in both sizes today. We'll have 2 pairs of each back in stock by Wednesday.

Sorry to hear about your concussion and stitches. Safety is my number once concern with cycling in traffic. I hit a small patch of black ice on my ride in last friday and fell on the left side of my rib cage. I think they are bruised, hope they aren't fractured.

Thanks for this topic, I'm going to be looking into buying some studded tires soon.

I'll chime in on the pro studded tire camp. The difference is night and day. I bought a pair for my commuter last fall and then a second pair for my mountain bike last winter - one of my best biking purchases.

My first winter I didn't have studded tires because I didn't really plan to ride all winter, I just kind of never stopped riding in the fall. It was ok; I slid once and jumped off safely, skidded a lot of other times, avoided certain roads and just plain didn't ride on some days. The worst is of course not realizing conditions are too bad until you are halfway to where you are going.

I got studded tires for the next winter (somewhere between the A10s and the more heavy duty ones John has installed) and have used them a few seasons now. It makes a world of difference. No more worrying about certain roads or exact temperatures/melting points, having more confidence to keep a better pace and of course no more slipping. On "Portland Surprise Ice Day" last year the only thing I had to worry about was the cars sliding around me. Nothing wrong with wanting to stick dry winter days, but if you want to go all winter studded tires are an easy purchase to justify.