Winter tyre vote

[Spokes]

With the weather changing for the worst here in UK, I'm at the same point I reach every year. Trying to decide which is the best winter tyre?  There are lots out there but I usually end up with either Velocerapters or Panaracer Fire pro. Although I'm feel I'm never completely happy with them.
What favourites do you guys have for wet, muddy and slippery?

Chris

[k24000]

I m afraid its the panaracer xc pro all the way for me gives me all the confidence I need and sheds the mud quick too

[beeeerock]

I think I'll be investing in a pair of Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro's this year...  once I get past the price being about equal to a Z rated tire for my car... 

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/ice_spiker_pro

[Tel]

bontrager mud xcr they shed mud quickly and are great on most things, if a little poor off camber.

[purple gerbil]

Not done alot of winter riding lately to be honest, but bitd I rode uma gummers (the soft grey one's) not seen any around for years.

[orange]

Michelin XC AT all year round for me.

[kiwi]

ii didn t know you could still get velociraptors!

[Colin]

I'm with you on the Fire XC's, but used to love the Velociraptors, which you can still get in the UK:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q=velociraptor

Col.

[BikerTrash]

The first time I rode Dart/Smokes through sand and mud, I was amazed. So my vote goes to Velociraptors.

For snow, I use Bridgestone Blizzaks.   

Not mine, but this jersey is me:

[beeeerock]

Not mine, but this jersey is me:

Me too, unfortunately... which is why I've got the Ice Spiker's this year.  It's no fun getting back INTO shape, easier to STAY in shape!!! 

[beeeerock]

Reading some of the replies, it's apparent that much depends on how you define 'winter'.  I rode at -10 C the other night on frozen ground, without any snow or recent precipitation.  So it was ground that contained some moisture content before freezing like concrete.  The Nobby Nic's were OK... but just 'OK'.  I didn't get a sense of confidence from them where the ground was smooth and frozen, even though it was completely clear of snow and ice.  The rubber rode like it had hardened quite significantly as well.

But if you're defining 'winter' as 'wet, muddy, and above freezing', they would obviously perform quite differently. It's so dry around here, mud riding is not a common occurrence at any time of the year, so my experience in those conditions is limited!

[Spokes]

Yes I'm aiming at the typical UK winter which is like I say wet, muddy and slippery. It always rains in UK and is quite often wet more than it is dry. 
Has anyone tried any of the other Maxxis tyres in their range or others from Scwable? (Is that how you spell it?!)

Chris

[beeeerock]

Yes I'm aiming at the typical UK winter which is like I say wet, muddy and slippery. It always rains in UK and is quite often wet more than it is dry. 

Oh, I know I'll get boxed about the ears... but too tempting... how is this different from 'summer' riding conditions over there??? 

Has anyone tried any of the other Maxxis tyres in their range or others from Scwable? (Is that how you spell it?!)

  'Schwalbe'...    I'm thinking that it's going to be all about tread design more than rubber compound - or at least, not so much about rubber compound and how it changes with temperature.  'Above zero' is probably going to result in similar results within the temperature range we'd expect from "almost frozen" to "it's flippin' hot"...!  So it won't really be about a 'winter tire' as much as a 'mud tire'.  Ooops... 'tyre'... 

[BikerTrash]

When I think winter, unfortunately I don't think wet, I think FREEZING COLD. 5°F (-15°C) for a low tonight, and 18°F (-8°C) for a high tomorrow. I wish I lived in Arizona. 

[Colin]

Yes I'm aiming at the typical UK winter which is like I say wet, muddy and slippery. It always rains in UK and is quite often wet more than it is dry.................

I feel I must point out that Chris (Spokes) lives in Wales; this is a small Principality within England that is infamous for the fact that it rains nearly all of the time.........and when it's not raining, the sea spray comes in horizontally.......................oh yeah, and it's also famous for sheep and wellies..................I will now get even more of a boxing around the ears <GRIN>



Col.