Webmaster
12-14-2006, 08:24 AM
When the outside conditions become cold and snowy I still like riding my bike. Riding on the ice is a challenge and pretty fun. Several years ago I did some research and found that a company called Nokian makes some truly great studded snow tires for bikes. I bought a set called the Extreme 296 – the 296 is the number of studs on the tires, mounted them on some dedicated rims, then off I went.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike1.jpg
The first thing I noticed is that on pavement the Nokians are very grippy. On downhill grades where normally the bike can coast at 15 mph, with the Nokians on the bike will barely go 9. The tires are inflation rated to 50 psi but I run them a little higher. They also made the typical clatter that is known to anyone who has ever had studded snow tires. Despite the noise the tires are in no way squirrelly or unpredictable.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike2.jpg
On ice all the noise created by the studs on asphalt goes away and the traction is control is remarkably good. The directional stability is good to excellent and the traction provided by the rear is also excellent. Typically you ride in the ruts created by vehicle traffic but any smooth surface will do. Riding on ice is a bit like riding on single track. The tires will grip on flat and even steeply angled surfaces. But there are contours that can push the front tire around. Over time you get good at seeing this kind of obstacle coming and teaching yourself how to approach it. That skill is part of the challenge and it is a fun exercise. And speaking of exercise, because the tires are so grippy you can expect a slower pace than when on non-studded tires.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike3.jpg
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike6.jpg
The chief problems you’ll encounter are when on soft snow or slushy surfaces. Slush in particular can make the directional stability very unpredictable. In fact it can be down right dangerous. The snow at lower elevations tends to be heavy and riding in more than a few inches of this cascade concrete is fairly straight foreword except that it adds a lot friction, so going is slow. The most challenging time to ride is when there has been a lot of ice build up but it is broken with small pools of water. Mostly because the bike can drop several inches into one of these pools (always a surprise), and by the time you realize what happened you are about to impact the other side wall of the pool. Again, it is similar to single track riding, albeit with the occasional unforeseen surprise.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike4.jpg
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike5.jpg
My favorite areas to ride are fs-70, fs-74 and SR-410 inside the entrance to the park. All offer miles of roadway with little or no vehicle traffic and an opportunity to see the beauty of the area in its winter splendor. Many don’t know it but 410 and some of the spur roads are regularly plowed for several miles, even after they close the gates.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/RollIntoWinter1.jpg
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike1.jpg
The first thing I noticed is that on pavement the Nokians are very grippy. On downhill grades where normally the bike can coast at 15 mph, with the Nokians on the bike will barely go 9. The tires are inflation rated to 50 psi but I run them a little higher. They also made the typical clatter that is known to anyone who has ever had studded snow tires. Despite the noise the tires are in no way squirrelly or unpredictable.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike2.jpg
On ice all the noise created by the studs on asphalt goes away and the traction is control is remarkably good. The directional stability is good to excellent and the traction provided by the rear is also excellent. Typically you ride in the ruts created by vehicle traffic but any smooth surface will do. Riding on ice is a bit like riding on single track. The tires will grip on flat and even steeply angled surfaces. But there are contours that can push the front tire around. Over time you get good at seeing this kind of obstacle coming and teaching yourself how to approach it. That skill is part of the challenge and it is a fun exercise. And speaking of exercise, because the tires are so grippy you can expect a slower pace than when on non-studded tires.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike3.jpg
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike6.jpg
The chief problems you’ll encounter are when on soft snow or slushy surfaces. Slush in particular can make the directional stability very unpredictable. In fact it can be down right dangerous. The snow at lower elevations tends to be heavy and riding in more than a few inches of this cascade concrete is fairly straight foreword except that it adds a lot friction, so going is slow. The most challenging time to ride is when there has been a lot of ice build up but it is broken with small pools of water. Mostly because the bike can drop several inches into one of these pools (always a surprise), and by the time you realize what happened you are about to impact the other side wall of the pool. Again, it is similar to single track riding, albeit with the occasional unforeseen surprise.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike4.jpg
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/WinterBike5.jpg
My favorite areas to ride are fs-70, fs-74 and SR-410 inside the entrance to the park. All offer miles of roadway with little or no vehicle traffic and an opportunity to see the beauty of the area in its winter splendor. Many don’t know it but 410 and some of the spur roads are regularly plowed for several miles, even after they close the gates.
http://explore-greenwater.com/pix/RollIntoWinter1.jpg