Cycling UK Forum

http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;n ... 27;pid=104

Apologies if this has already been raised on the forum, but I just spotted this tyre. The idea seems to be to inflate fully on normal tarmac so the studs aren't in contact during straightline riding, but deflate to lower pressure on ice, bringing the side-mounted studs into permanent contact. Seems ideal for the unpredictable weather we've been getting, and cheap. I've bought a few things from this supplier, no problems so far, and delivery in 2-3 days.

Personally I'm happy with my Marathon Winters. I couldn't be doing with pumping up and letting air out of the tyre every time I reached or left an icy patch. And if we are moving out of or into an icy phase of weather I just choose either the bike with the ice tyres or the bike with the slick tyres. I think that riding on knoblies when it's not icy would be a bit of the worst of both worlds.

However, I can recommend Bike24's service - my delivery was very efficient.

I bought some Snow Studs recently. Being a Tight Wad they were cheaper than Winters. I have to say I am a little dissapointed with them. I wished I had spent the extra money on Winters (more studs more grip). I think the claim about the different pressures is true as at the higher pressure you can not hear the studs on the road as much as at the lower pressure.

I fitted Snow Studs to the MTB last winter and was quite happy with them, until I fitted Marathon Winters to the road bike last month!

Quite simply the Winters are far better (IMO) than the Snow Studs, though how much of that is due to their narrower profile (700x35 vs 26" x whatever they are) I cannot say

And the pressure is critical! - at maximum pressure the rear was all over the place, they definitely work better almost flat!