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Done a fair few 24 solos, but have avoided the Puffer. Stupidly agreed to a pair team this winter, so wondering what tires. I know weather is highly variable at the event - from cold and missable to extremely cold and very miserable.
A bunch of web posts seem to suggest ice tires with spikes are the way to go. I’d really rather not fork out cash for a set of tires I’ll use nowhere else - so would love input on how useful / necessary are they?
Depends on the conditions on the day (and night). If it's been snowing and then it gets hard packed, it can become like glass. Lots of folk take a set of tyres/wheels/spare bike if it looks like it might be necessary,
If you need them nothing else will do.
It's Been 50-50 for me on yes/no. I've done all bar a few in various teams / solos.
Last year for example was a yes year.....
The year before - was more of a mud tire year for me (deepish snow)
Other years have been deep mud , dry and fast with hard ground but no Ice....
As above, if you need them you really need them.
This year I needed them.
DId it this year 2 laps without spikes & a few crashes managed to borrow a pair of spikes thankfully
This year our (4 person) team hoped to largely get away without them, and one of us brought a pair. The first lap apparently resulted in something like 4 broken collarbone..
Luckily we were all on 29ers and the hub spacing matched, so we ran the spikes on 2 front wheels, and swapped them each lap.
So, I'd agree with the above, when you need them, you REALLY need them.
As above I ran 1 this year on the front. Should of really ran a pair but it was a godsend.
If you don't take them and you need them you'll be pissed....
(I've never done the puffer but) one thing that stuck in my mind, was someone saying that with spikes, frozen sections became almost like tarmac, super fast, while people without spikes were seeking out the wet bits or riding in verges etc to avoid it, and so getting slowed down. I guess that depends on conditions too.
dont tell anyone but one option is to order a pair a couple of weeks before and keep them boxed. if u dontneed them send them back for a refund. thats what i done one year.
I've always for away without spikes. Always found a bit of grip in verges/off line on frostier ice. And also my cat like balance/luck kept me upright.
I saw a couple of spike users come off, false sense of security possibly?
Thanks all for input. Sounds like having them better than not. @robbie I like your style!
The problem is one lap can be ok, and then the next lap the line you took is slick.
Especially in the small hours or near splashes.
However it can be done without. The worst ice I've seen was I think the 3rd 'Puffer (started from Loch Kinellan) with pink pools of blood frozen into the ice in places, but the winners did not have ice tyres.
If you don't need them, you are soon regretting them because it's like dragging sandbags behind you.
Make sure you bed your spikes in properly beforehand because otherwise your tyres will be shedding them at braking points or stiff climbs on the rocky bits.
If it's any consolation, I've done every 'Puffer and rarely get my tyre choice right.