Snow tyres?

[Lincov]

The rest of the family are thinking about C***mas already, while I do my usual thing of ignoring it until at least 21st December. I'm already planning on asking for a combined pump and CO2 inflator, and seriously considering bar ends, but I'm now thinking about how to keep up momentum in January and February, so was wondering about asking for snow tyres as a present.

My questions are:
Is it worth it? Or would I be ok with normal tyres? Or is cycling in the snow and ice just plain stupid anyway?

If it is worth going ahead, I've got a hybrid with 622 x 15c wheels, can anyone please suggest suitable snow tyres?

Thanks in advance

ETA this is in the wrong forum, sorry. Mods, feel free to move!

 

[boydj]

How often do you see snow in Coventry that lasts for more than a few hours?

 

[Lincov]

Pretty infrequently, but it can get icy for longish periods on the surrounding roads in Warwickshire!

 

[fossyant]

If you plan on cycling when it's icy then you need studded tyres. Marathon Winters are good for hybrids. They aren't great in snow. I use Snow Studs on my MTB.

 

[oiljam]

I'm going to dig out my Felt mountain bike. I'm sure the tyres on that will cope better than my slicks. Probably do a more direct route of 4 miles rather than a jaunt round to work

 

[Lincov]

If you plan on cycling when it's icy then you need studded tyres. Marathon Winters are good for hybrids. They aren't great in snow. I use Snow Studs on my MTB.

Thanks fossyant, I looked at those but according to Sheldon's chart they are too wide for my rims. I do have a mountain BSO I was wondering if I'd be better to kit that up for the winter.