Bicycle Tire Snow Chains

[alloo]

What do you think of these for the winter? Would you use them? Saw these online an am curious.

Slipnot Traction

www.slipnottraction.com

 

[Prairie Dog]

Chains might be fine on packed snow but for icy ruts or glare ice I don’t think that they would be a match for studded tires like the ISPs. Studs provide traction by biting into hard pack or ice most notably in turns where lateral forces are evident. I think chains would tend to slip significantly since they don’t have the bite that studs exhibit. Chains might also introduce more drag and weight due to their configuration compared to studded tires. Most fatbikers that I run into along the trails ride on studs with lower PSI and a few even get by on conventional fat tires simply because the studded versions are rather expensive. In the end, it really depends on what the winter ground conditions are in your local area. I suppose there is substantial snowfall in NM at higher altitudes so you might get by with chains. Just my .02 FWIW.

 

[tomjasz]

What do you think of these for the winter? Would you use them? Saw these online an am curious.

Slipnot Traction

www.slipnottraction.com

Not for me. Tire chains have always been awful last-ditch efforts. For me.

 

[dariusf2]

I have been running studded tires in winter for maybe 5-6 years now. Granted its on fat bikes on singletrack trails. Had Vee Snowshow XL 4.8" on couple hard tail fat bikes and now run 45Nrth Dillinger 4, almost 4" on my full suspension Salsa Bucksaw in the winter. As soon as the snow comes down I swap my wheelset from 27.5 with 3" tires to 26" x 4" winter fat wheels. The studs make a huge difference on icy trails. I just did 14 miles with 3 other riders which had varies tire sizes and no studs in 2.2, 2.8 and 3". Was anle to go much faster and no slipping issues on the south facing trails with sections of pure ice. I had instances in the past where I lost traction and crashed. Once a small jump at speed coming in to a corner which was icy. Wheels lost traction and bike got out from under me resulting in me slamming my side on to frozen ground at speed braking couple ribs. I definitely try to slow down and be more careful now. As to asphalt, not that great, I have about 1 mile from the house to the closest trailhead and riding the bike with these fat studded tires on asphalt is a pain. Its very loud and definitely effects rolling. No way I would go on longer asphalt ride. Now if you nwed nerrower tires like 2" or 2.2" studded, I guess it would be far easier to roll on asphalt.

 

[Nomad]

What do you think of these for the winter? Would you use them? Saw these online an am curious.

Slipnot Traction

www.slipnottraction.com

I wouldn't run them I run studded tires and I commute all winter long on them. I can see clearance issues among other things with chains. I have used them on trucks a lot in the past and good quality set of chains in the right conditions tightened correctly are awesome.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have been running studded tires in winter for maybe 5-6 years now. Granted its on fat bikes on singletrack trails. Had Vee Snowshow XL 4.8" on couple hard tail fat bikes and now run 45Nrth Dillinger 4, almost 4" on my full suspension Salsa Bucksaw in the winter. As soon as the snow comes down I swap my wheelset from 27.5 with 3" tires to 26" x 4" winter fat wheels. The studs make a huge difference on icy trails. I just did 14 miles with 3 other riders which had varies tire sizes and no studs in 2.2, 2.8 and 3". Was anle to go much faster and no slipping issues on the south facing trails with sections of pure ice. I had instances in the past where I lost traction and crashed. Once a small jump at speed coming in to a corner which was icy. Wheels lost traction and bike got out from under me resulting in me slamming my side on to frozen ground at speed braking couple ribs. I definitely try to slow down and be more careful now. As to asphalt, not that great, I have about 1 mile from the house to the closest trailhead and riding the bike with these fat studded tires on asphalt is a pain. Its very loud and definitely effects rolling. No way I would go on longer asphalt ride. Now if you nwed nerrower tires like 2" or 2.2" studded, I guess it would be far easier to roll on asphalt.

The ISPs are awesome on sheer ice and hard pack but are pitiful in deeper snow as you might guess. I’ve often thought about getting a fattie but likely wouldn’t make use of it on the tight singles that I ride during the summer months. Most of my riding on MUPs in the winter is during transition to other trails heads and rarely are they bare. The city crews plow a layer off the top and leave enough hard pack for the studs to dig in.

 

[dariusf2]

The ISPs are awesome on sheer ice and hard pack but are pitiful in deeper snow as you might guess. I’ve often thought about getting a fattie but likely wouldn’t make use of it on the tight singles that I ride during the summer months. Most of my riding on MUPs in the winter is during transition to other trails heads and rarely are they bare. The city crews plow a layer off the top and leave enough hard pack for the studs to dig in.

Depends on the situation for sure. Fatty bikes are just a blast on singletrack whole year around. I have not really found the studded tires much of an issue on fresh unpacked snow and I'm often the first on on the trails after snowfall. Outside of snow / ice conditions I just swap the wheels to 27.5 x 3". I'm a huge fan of plus bikes, still have Ibis SLR with 27.5 narrow wheels (2.5"f / 2.2"r) but getting ready to build up Ibis Mojo 3 and plan to run it with 2.8" tires, project is on hold as I destroyed my ankle 2.5 years ago and just getting back to riding after 7 surgeries. MUP is awesome, planning a summer bike trip. Here are the trails I ride https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8012329/palos-trail-system