Tyres for winter

Atz

I'm just about to swap my knobblies out for some more road friendly tyres now my fitness levels are up (I'm a glutton for punishment so decided fitness would arrive faster with slower rubber). Given winter is approaching I'd like to make sure I don't get the wrong slicks for the season. Any recommendations or even tyres to avoid in greasy potentially slightly frosty conditions?

RufusA

I currently have Speccy Armadillos. Great tyres, p*nct*re free to date.

However they aren't the most grippy tyre IMHO. Fine 99% of the time, but powering up a hill over icy wet leaves can be a little hairy. Though I imagine there are very few tyres where such a journey wouldn't be a little skittish!

I'm planning to run them all winter, as a little less grip more than pays for not having to freeze my fingers off changing a tyre in sub-zero temperatures.

Rufus.

Atz

Most of my commute is fairly low speed cornering so I'm not too fussed about having the ultimate in high speed grip but I do want to make sure I'm not sliding on my arse under a bus going round a roundabout

Clever Pun

RufusA wrote:

I currently have Speccy Armadillos. Great tyres, p*nct*re free to date.

However they aren't the most grippy tyre IMHO. Fine 99% of the time, but powering up a hill over icy wet leaves can be a little hairy. Though I imagine there are very few tyres where such a journey wouldn't be a little skittish!

I'm planning to run them all winter, as a little less grip more than pays for not having to freeze my fingers off changing a tyre in sub-zero temperatures.

Rufus.

yeah I'm using the all conditions ones... very good, in 5000 miles I've had 3 unplanned deflations

I've heard about being careful cornering in the wet... but I'm always careful about that as skinning the side of my leg is pretty damn painful

Wooliferkins

Schwalbe do a variety of slick and semi slicks, excellent puncture protection. Ice is a different thing, studded tyres are available for the upcoming tv series celebrity commuting on ice!

jefferee

I just picked up a pair of Schwalbe Snow Studsfor my winter-beater MTB (I live in southern Ontario, Canada, where we can have sub-zero temperatures and significant snowfall anywhere from early Dec. to late March). They do a similar version in a 700C X 38, I believe.

Studs are an option to consider if you're planning on frequenting icy asphalt but probably overkill if it's just the occasional frost you're concerned about.

cooper.michael1

Vredestein Perfect Moirees are pretty good. Take good pressure, good grip in the wet and for commuting i really feel reflective sidewalls do aid visabilty greatly. Done about 2500miles on mine and the front one looks new, the rear about 40% worn, so durable too.

Not quite as quick as its predecesor the S-Lick, but better build and with more features..

Hairy Jock

I just use Conti GatorSkin all year, but then here in Scotland the sun shines all year round...

Chewy Cheeks

Use Armadillos.

Last week went through a puddle came out the other side with a bumping feel coming through the tyres. I thought perfect a flat in the rain and got off.... any way the tyre was not flat but had a 3/4" self tapping screw lodged pointy end into the tyre.

Pulled it out carried on no damage done.

Armadillos are tough, not fast but tough