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Just a quick question. Do you tend to run these tyres at higher pressures to allow the spikes to dig in or follow the usual adage of softer = better grip?
And another question did you run them in on the road. I've read some manufacturers advise 30 mile on the road but my contis didn't say anything. Ta
I tend to run mine (2.1") at around 40psi. I do tend to assume that a higher pressure will help force the spikes into the ice. I also ran mine on tarmac for 50 miles to bed them in as recommmended (Nokian).
I'm sure that there's a recommended 50psi on the sidewalls of my Conti Spike Claws. I've mainly been using them on the road anyway!
I'm no expert, but my 700c Schwalbe snow studs say 50 psi normal conditions, 30psi snow and ice, and to run them in gently on tarmac for 20 miles.
I run them on wideish 29er rims and the studs contact quite a lot even at 50psi, I'm tempted just to run them at 50psi the whole time.
Thanks very much for the comments. Fingers crossed they are arriving tomorrow with the snow so will get them out over the weekend...
I run my Ice Spikers at fairly normal pressures for me - 30-35psi - and they've been fine on and off road, on and off snow etc. You theoretically need to vary the pressure if the studs are just at the sides, but with all-over stud coverage, normal seems to work just fine, so start there and see what works for you. Make sense on ice and compacted, polished, hard snow btw, no better than normal nobblies on softer snow.
I didn't run mine in, used them all last winter in the snow and ice and again this winter, so far I think I've lost a single stud plus they seem very durable, despite a fair bit of tarmac bashing.
UPDATE:
Well just been out for my first ride on them and they are a complete "mind expletive"...
We have not had snow here today but its very cold and lots and lots of ice, been running around on my local trails on a dusk/night ride and amazed by the grip. My head took ages to catch up with what the bike could do but they have opened up winter riding for me in a way I did not appreciate was possible.
Found a very large flood in a field, about the size of a football pitch and spend about an hour on it, its frozen solid, I could barely stand on it but easily hit 18+mph with grip and brakes!!
Well well well worth the money...
Oh, and ran them at 50 psi.....
Was that the 120 or 240 spike tyres?
304 apparently
Is this the same STW that says snow/winter tyres for the car isn't worth the effort/cost? 😆
My 240s are fitted waiting to go for an ice ride but too busy at min will have to wait 🙁