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Hi, I took the 'puffer steed out today with it's new Fast Fender (the front one) and Schwalbe Snow Stud tyres. They are [u]brilliant[/u]!
I've been scared of ice since the 2008 'puffer - I fell off and damaged my shoulder on ice before the race, then the race was an icey hell. Today, after a bit of getting used to it, I had no fear. Fantastic. Best fun I've had on a bike for ages.
They give you superpowers! People look at you like "How is he doing that!?"
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More: [url] http://www.flickr.com/photos/allankelly/sets/72157622937828481/show/ [/url]
Cheers, al.
what are they?
been looking for some for the puffer meself.
Got some on my 'cross bike. Quite good but would like something more heavily studded.
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4200318532_be309254d5_o.jp g" target="_blank">
Hi Thom, These ones are Schwalbe Snow Studs, from wiggle.
[url] http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Schwalbe_Snow_Stud_Mountain_Bike_Tyres/5360016534/ [/url]
I ghetto tubelessed them too, just the same as [url] http://tubelesswheels.com/ [/url]
al.
Simondbarnes: Those seem to have studs round the middle. Mine have them round the sides. Strange/interesting/whatever....
al.
Was impressed by these on compacted snow - very good grip.
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Not so hot on yer actual ice though...
We've punted out a few of the Conti Spike Claw 120s for Pufferers. Feedback has been excellent. The Spike Claw 120s have studs at the edges, the 240s have them all over.
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Money is, sadly, too tight to mention. So, Schwalbe at cheaper prices for me.
A pity, I usually buy Conti tyres.
al.
cheers al.
did you edit the op to say schwalbe or did i really miss it?! 😕
Wow! The tread pattern on those Schwalbes takes me back to '92 and the Swallow tyres on my Dawes One Track!
Thom: you missed it dude.
Pass the red, I'm getting low...
al.
Always thought it'd be cool to buy several hundred small countersunk tapered screws and put them through the knobles in a pair of swamp things. Ultimate winter tire 🙂
Its been done [url= http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?369227-Studded-Tires-Make-your-own-in-7-easy-steps ]Clicky[/url] . Is it really worthwhile considering how little snow and ice we have each year?
Also try Swalbe Ice spikers - 300 plus spikes ( www.chainreactioncycles.com. ) Great fun. Very stable on ice sheets and thinnish snow. Tend to spin out on deep soft snow as they need to cut through to something hard (ice or road etc). I also use the snow versions ( www.wiggle.co.uk ) which are good on deeper snow and areas with smaller amounts of ice. Both sorts lots of fun. My sets are 4 years old or so, as if you store them with care they last for ages. Not lost any studs yet either.
I did some for the puffer two years ago when it was really icy, used pop rivets rather than screws though, tested them up from the forestry car park when it was just a glassy sheet I couldnt walk on, cruised up the hill no problem.
Then my wife selfishly had a baby the day of the puffer 🙄 and I never even got the chance to use them in anger.
Oh, forgot to say, nice looking bike.
Thanks! 853 Inbred, ancient-but-bound-to-work RockShox Duke forks, similar era Hope brakes and hubs, 32 x 16. I've got an 18t and a 20t cog too.
Cheers, al.