BLACK ICE BEWARE

[threefingerjoe]

So which tyres do you recommend, Joe?

Well, HJ, I can only speak for what I use. My commute is all on paved roads. I use the Nokian Hekkapalita 106. It has 2 rows of carbide studs down the center. It's designed for paved, ploughed roads with black ice. Work GREAT, especially on glazed ice. No problems, starting, stopping, climbing hills, etc. Now, bear in mind that you're still on ice, and don't try to take corners at high speed. They're heavy and slow, but, they will let you ride when you'd be busting your bum, otherwise.

Other models of Nokian studded tyres have extra rows of studs toward the sides, which help you climb out of deep ruts in snow.

I once read that Nokian and Schwalbe had the only studded tyres that use carbide studs. I don't know if that is true. Softer steel studs wear out quickly. I will be starting my 4th season with my Nokians. Be careful when you put your foot down, though, unless you have studded shoes!

 

[Stephenite]

I'm going to buy some studded tyres today. I'll be going for the Schwalbe Marathon Winter myself.

I may have decided on the Nokian Hekkapalita 106 after your recommendation, Joe, but none of the LBS's have them in stock. The two tyres i get to choose from here are the rather heavy (940g) Nokian Hekkapalita 240 and aforementioned Schwalbe Marathon Winter. Hoping the Schwalbies will be lighter. And i like that the line of the inner row of studs are a little further apart - making it possible to adjust how much contact they have with the road by adjusting tyre pressure.

+1 for the studded shoes - broke a rib last winter - non-bike related

 

[GAVSTER]

Gav watch that wind out there, can be almost as bad as the ice, it is really blowing a gale in Dunfermline today

In the end i just cycled up to the station. Uphill into a 25 mph headwind. Coming back was better tho

 

[patheticshark]

Stupid slippery roads.

I've got a well good black eye.

 

[kewb]

i had ice in my water bottle yesterday ,
roads were patchy but gritters were out .

 

[jamesxyz]

yep went down like a sack of spuds on monday - teach me to go riding down country lanes in the dark when its icy!
was slding along on my arse in opposite direction to the bike before I knew it. Road (which had been in the shade all day was like an ice rink I could barely walk with the bike it was that glassy smooth on the road.
Now have a sore backside but more frustratingly must have jarred my neck as I went over. Didn't notice at the time but hurts like a bugger now.

 

[Riverman]

A friend of mine has a man dressed in a gimp suit in the cellar. During the winter he handcuffs him to a bike with a large bucket attached to it filled with salt. He then send this gimp out on his local commute around country lanes, gritting the roads. Half an hour later he then goes out himself.

Beats having to pay for a new set of tyres I guess.

 

[Jane Smart]

In the end i just cycled up to the station. Uphill into a 25 mph headwind. Coming back was better tho

Recalling the wind that day, that is a very good speed

 

[Ian H]

No real ice down here just yet. Last year, on the way to see my accountant, I encountered proper black ice on a narrow straight road with a lot of camber. First the front wheel started drifting down the camber, then the back wheel fishtailed if I put any amount of power in. So I pedalled gingerly getting cold until the main road where I could warm up again.

 

[fudgedog]

Just Like jamesxyz a few cuts from the fall, but my shoulder, wrist and hip have been agony all week

 

[summerdays]

I came off today - I was diverted off my intended route by an Hit and Run closing a road, so took the Chocolate path (tiled surface!!!) without thinking about it. As I was cycling along ... I began to notice that pedestrians seemed to be clinging to the railings at the edge ... so I pulled on the brakes and started sliding immediately. Put my foot down - as I wasn't going that fast ... that just disappeared underneath me too... so over I went.

It was a beautiful morning down there though - river full and still.

 

[Big John]

My nickname at the club is Nelson. Why? Because, like Nelson did, I spend most of my time on the deck. After reading this thread I don't feel alone any more. Thanks everyone!

 

[Stephenite]

Been thinking about this ice problem... and what i've come up with is: whether it's black ice, white ice or (ahem) smirnoff ice (or equivalent alcoholic beverage) - what about stabilizers!

 

[summerdays]

Been thinking about this ice problem... and what i've come up with is: whether it's black ice, white ice or (ahem) smirnoff ice (or equivalent alcoholic beverage) - what about stabilizers!

I think its known as a trike when a bike has stabilizers

 

[Stephenite]

If you have stabilizers either side it'd be a 'quaike' (pron. kwike)