Nokian Mount & Ground W160 Studded Tire

I bought these tires so that I would feel safe biking my 2.5 mile commute during the winter months.

I basically put these on as soon as the temperature drops below 33 degrees, and I keep them on the bike until the freezing weather ends. In MarylandDC, this is usually mid November till late March 4 to 5 months.

I prefer to bike on the sidewalks and avoid the streets whenever possible. Since pedestrians have the right of way, I just ride around them, which usually puts me on grass during the detour.

So, how do these tires do? In my opinion

Regular Pavement Wet or Dry

They are fine. There is a greater rolling resistance due to the lower pressure and the metal studs, so you do get more of a workout. You will also hear a mild hum from the studs as they contact the pavement 160 times per tire per revolution. I like to think of this as the sound as the sound of security and stability.

Icy Pavement

This is where these tires shine. They are awesome on ice! Smooth ice, rough ice, that wavy ice from un-plowed-walked on-snow melting-during-the-day-freezing-over-at-night, these tires tear it up! I feel more stable ridding on ice with these than I do walking on those same icy paths. You do need to watch out for ruts though, like other frozen bicycle tracks as gravity will want your wheels to slide into and follow them. However, the studs fight that resistance very well, but it can feel a little unnerving. These tires are awesome for ice.

Snow Covered PavementFresh 4 inches

These tires are wonderful for a fresh light un-plowed snow. Can you say WeeeeeeeeEEE! When perfectly upright, you may feel a little sliding, but then you will feel the studs which are slightly to the sides gripping and returning stability. It is so much fun ridding in the fresh snow.

Snow Covered Pavement Fresh 4 to 8 inches

Very challenging, as in the rolling resistance is very high and you will be working for pedal rotations. The deeper it gets, the tougher it will be. I still have fun under these conditions!

Snow Covered Pavement un-Plowed, and heavily traveled 3 inches

Can be difficult ridding. You need to watch out for ruts as these make steering true somewhat difficult. If you are thrill junkie, you will probably enjoy this. Me, I tolerate it.

Snow Covered PavementPlowed 3 inches

I am referring to the side walk next to the main street with has a lot of plowed snow on top of it. This is near impossible to peddle through. I usually get on the road at this point, and pray that all the cars all see me.

IcyCrunch Top, Creamy in the Middle Snow

Very difficult to ride through. Very difficult. Again, here I move to the plow road.

In review, I have used these tires for 4 winters in the MarylandDC area I know, mild wi