Have you been able to get some studded tyres?

[Sore Thumb]

I have ordered some schwalbe marathon winter studded tyres from a big web shop in the hope that when they do get there stock in, I will get sent a pair. However they are now unsure of the delivery date.

How are you all getting on with getting studded tyres?

Have you been told when the expected supply from the distributors to the shops will happen?

Any info would be of help thanks.

 

[Noodley]

I got an e-mail today from Allterraincycles with studded tyre offers, might be worth a look?

 

[Sore Thumb]

I have noticed that the german sites still have them. But only found out about these after I paid for the pre-order.

I was thinking that either all the uk shops have had a load in and have run out of stock or there is no stock because the shops have not been supplied with any yet. The web site did say that they should have some stock by end of november but now they are saying that they don't know when they will get them.

Is it worth the risk me cancelling this order and getting from Germany. When they say they can deliver in 1-2 days does that mean they do have stock?

 

[I_S]

Last Tuesday I ordered a pair of 700x35 Marathon Winters from Action Sports, they arrived on Friday. Excellent service. Cost 75.39 Euros.

 

[potsy]

Are the 28" ones the same as 700cc? Only trouble I'd have is I'm not sure my guards would take the 35mm tyres and I don't want to shell out for new ones as well as £60+ for the tyres.

 

[I_S]

My tyres are labeled 700x35C 28x1.35.

Because snow builds under the guards I've raised them about 10mm, this also adds clearance for the width.

 

[Sore Thumb]

Should I stick with the marathon winters or with the ice spikers?

I have read the reviews that say the marathon winters are good on ice but are not so good with snow. Would the ice spiker be overkill in the sort of weather conditions we are having at the moment.

Its just the snow that concerns me.

ta

 

[I_S]

Today was my first ride with winters. On packed snow and hard surfaces they ride well. Loose dry snow ~ 75mm deep on a hard surface with no ruts was fine. Wet loose snow & ruts difficult / impossible.

Haven't tried Ice Spikers, my need is for icy commutes rather than snow.

 

[Piemaster]

I got marathon winters from Bike24 last winter. As above quick delivery. Dunno if its just because they are better prepared for winters than us so hold stock. A neighbours brother lives there and apparently has to have winter tyres for his car so maybe a similar mentality - any German forumites care to enlighten me?

The marathon winters are amazing on ice / compacted snow. I came closer to falling over pushing the bike last winter than riding it. However not so good on snow as there is nothing for the spikes to dig into and the snow seems to 'shear'. I went for them as I reasoned icy conditions are more regular in my area than snow and from last year it was the partial thaw then refreeze that was causing me the most difficulties.
Others may comment but I'm not sure you'd be any better off with ice spikers than a set of knobblies in deep snow.

 

[Sore Thumb]

My commute starts with some country roads and then hits some main roads. So last year we had some deep snow on the side roads, then some compacted snow then snow slush and some roads almost clear.

So im not sure if the marathon would be good for this. The spikers seem to be a little too much. Even though last year I did ride on panaracers firexc pro 2.1s and only fell off once.

I would like to have something in between, but that is not going to happen.

I can't buy both as its too much money and I only have one set of wheels.

So decisions decisions........

I have the wifes visa in my hand so i need to make a choice ........

 

[Sore Thumb]

Well I decided and got the marathons but i'm glad I did not take too long to decide, as while I was deciding the ice spikers went out of stock.

 

[mcshroom]

How about the Snow Stud? It hasn't got as many studs as the other two but does appear to have knobbly bits and studs.

 

[andrew_s]

Should I stick with the marathon winters or with the ice spikers?

Ice Spikers will be quite a bit better on deep unpacked (by cars) or wet snow/slush, but will be pretty slow on tarmac. On the other hand, if you've got snow/slush and no hard ice, ordinary knobblies are as good.
Marathon Winter are good on ice and hard packed snow, and reasonably fast on tarmac.

 

[AlanW]

How about the Snow Stud? It hasn't got as many studs as the other two but does appear to have knobbly bits and studs.

That's what I have, got them from Wiggle last winter, great tyre if bloody heavy!

On the way to work deflate to 30 psi to get the studs in contact with the road and ice, then on the way home if its cleared inflate to 60psi to have the studs clear.

Brilliant idea.

 

[Bodhbh]

Ice Spikers will be quite a bit better on deep unpacked (by cars) or wet snow/slush, but will be pretty slow on tarmac. On the other hand, if you've got snow/slush and no hard ice, ordinary knobblies are as good.
Marathon Winter are good on ice and hard packed snow, and reasonably fast on tarmac.

I got some Ice Spikers a few days back, and they do not handle very well at all on tarmac. I often ride knobblies on the road, and thought if getting a winter tyre I might as well go the whole hog - but these are something else. The cornering is terrible and the rolling resistance is higher than anything I've ridden before. Not sure if it's the tread (the lugs are thinly spaced and a good 2-3mm longer than the ones on my regular knobblies), the compound (winter tyres on cars at least are softer than regular tyres?) or the studs.

I'm only stating the obvious as they're not supposed to be a road tyre, but just a warning to anyone thinking along the same lines as me. The tempation is to leave the bike with the Spikers on at home even when there's a risk of ice, thus defeating the point.

Just hoping we get some really terrible weather that justifies their existance.