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good points (for sure, the "performance" snow tires do not usually have great performance in snow - the performance is a compromise to make them better on bare pavement than normal snows to suit performance cars).
The new tires in question were Nokian Hakka 4's (this was a couple of years ago) which are as you say, unstudded + capable of having studs mounted. They are heavily siped + use modern compounds, though they probably don't have silica in the rubber. They are not bad tires on ice. The old studded ones were just so much better (literally could corner up a steep hill on glare ice accelerating through the curve at decent speed with virtually insignificant difference in grip vs dry pavement)... remember though, the old hakkas were outstanding tires of their generation, so that is a factor as well (ie vs if one compared against studded mediocre snow tires)...
Obviously what I observed is not necessarily conclusive, but it is a data point, and the observations were certainly surprising + overwhelming!
I googled the tire rack tests and saw a short video in a skating rink (where one could never get to significant speeds), but there was no information on the details of the testing. I did see a Scandinavian test that included Blizzaks and Hakkas + they did some lifetime testing as well + the Blizzaks did not fare particularly well but I forget the details. Friends who have run Blizzaks here certainly noticed the quick wear + drop in performance (must mean they are good when brand new though). Many have preferred other brands, but of course that does not mean there is anything wrong with the Blizzaks. Everyone has their favourites based on needs/use, but my impression from others' comments + reviews was that even unstudded, Blizzak + Hakkas are quite comparable with the Blizzaks marginally winning out on ice + Hakkas marginally winning out in snow (different compromises in designing an "ice tire" vs a "snow tire" and all the shades of gray in between). The Arctic Alpins are apparently not bad either. I won't disagree that probably the studless tires are a good compromise + better tire for many people (who may be concerned with the noise etc).
One thing that I noticed with the old studded tires was that they wore so much slower. Modern spring loaded studs might not have the same effect, but there was tons of tread left even though they really were long past the ideal age limit for a tire + had plenty of miles on them. That in itself is a significant advantage, imho...
where you really notice studded tires make a difference is if you ever bike in the winter! an absolute necessity up here!
James...
posted by 216.59.24...
, Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:12:16
, Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:19:28, Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:48:02
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