Just in time

[johnridley]

My studded tires really should have been replaced for last season, but I made it through on them.

This year I decided to go with Schwalbe Marathon Winters - they have an extra 2 rows of carbide studs farther out, to help getting out of icy ruts.

I just called to order them from one of only 2 or 3 places in the US I know to have them, and they're out. They are getting at least one more shipment, in about 3 weeks, and they said most of those are already spoken for, but I'd get a pair of them. One other place claims to have them in stock but for $10 more. I can wait.

In previous years they had no trouble keeping stock throughout the season. This year it looks like there's a lot more demand for winter cycling gear.

Comments

[ann-totusek.livejournal.com]

So....if I suck up, will you tell me where to call? Pretty please? I'm a winter wuss, but most of that is fear of wiping out on icy snowy streets.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

The prime source of studded tires is Peter White Cycles:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp
Peter runs a pretty traditional business; he has a website with products listed, but the "In stock" indicator isn't really reliable, and if you want to order, you call him on the phone and talk to him (or his assistant).

Calhoun Cycle also sells them, and it's a more modern site so the "In stock" might be accurate:
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1266

Note the Marathon Winter tires are $65 each. I ran the last few years on Nokian Hakka W106/35s, which are $50 each. They're actually pretty good. I just wore mine out, and also sometimes I'm riding where there are bad icy ruts on the roads, and with only the center rows of studs, they don't climb out of the ruts very well.

It's a good idea to drop the pressure down to 25PSI or so when it's really icy out.

I was just looking for Schwalbe Marathon Winters - for the Nokian W106s, there are some more sources. AEBike.com has some Nokians though they're out of W106s now.

Also, I have 700c tires. If you have 26",that'll change availability.

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

We passed you on the way to the hardware store yesterday, but didn't realize it until we were well down the road.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

If you pass me in the dark after this, you'll know it. I just got a bunch of 3M hi-intensity reflective stuff and really uglied up my bike with it.