I'm going to have to guess that most of us who ride year-round do not have studded tires, and though this year has been unusually difficult, we do have to assume that most people on bikies do not ride with them. I have ridden year-round for over 20 years, and had two spills in that time period, including one this year. I would have to think that for us who are challenged financially that one front tire would be a whole lot better than no tire. I note Mark Shahan lives on the far-west side with the Tokay hill. That's a lot different than those of us who lives on the near-east side with no hills. So, choose as it seems appropriate.
"It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong."--Voltaire (1694-1778) Direct Cost of U.S. War and Occupation of Iraq $496,885,238,875 >>> Bill Putnam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2/29/2008 10:05 PM >>> Doug, I had the chance to try out studs on the front only while I was replacing the frame on my winter bike and put my front studded (W106 Nokian) tire on my regular summer commuter. With this set up I went down when I really wasn't expecting it, doing a fairly gentle turn on what turned out to be slicker ice than I thought. The front studded tire stuck to the ice just fine as the rest of the bike and me pivoted around. I had done close to a 180 by the time I finally completely lost balance and landed on my butt. Had I been expecting this, I might have been able to put a foot out, but it caught me by surprise and I didn't react quickly enough. I'm fairly certain that had the rear studded tire been on the bike like I was used to, I would have stayed upright with no problem. I've not had the experience of the front tire washing out using front and rear studded tires, though I have a pretty upright riding position and don't put a lot of weight on the front wheel. People riding mountain bikes or with a riding position that places more weight over the front wheel may have a different experience. I'll grant that everyone should ride with what they feel works best for them, but for me I'm going to stick with studded tires front and rear. Bill Putnam Doug Adler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ... I've thought about it a lot actually. Of course the weight distribution and braking matters, but most riders don't shift their weight forward on every corner. ... and where the stud is. So you could still bust loose and wash out. If you only have studs on front the back tire will go first. But like I said, try both and see which you like best, for your riding style and your typical conditions. I ride fast, don't coast on ice, and my back wheel doesn't slide out. But if I rode more ice I'd probably get rears. I just think it's a matter of personal preference, not one is inherently better. -Doug Adler _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
