studded winter tires

[edmontonsho]

I need to buy a set of winter tires for my old basketweaves. They guy said instead of buying blizzaks ($140 cdn) buy a slighty cheaper winter tires (micheline alpines) for ($102) cdn and put studs on them`($20each). He said they should last a minimum of 6 years. This is only my second winter driving and last year I had to use bald bfgoodrich comp t/A (I called them the race slicks) . I am wondering If I should get the studs? if so just how grippy are they vs blizzaks. Last winter my girlfriend had to push my car at my cabin and she threatened not to come out this winter if she had to do this again, so I need very grippy tires. Also will studded tires good for high speeds or is it like trying to run with golf shoes.

thanks for the input

 

[olympic]

I've had both tires and the Blizzak's win hands down when it gets real slippery. They do wear rather quickly but you'll still get 3-4 winters out of them. I also had a set of Canadian Tire winter tires with studs and the Blizzaks were still better. The studs tend to wear off or fall out after a while.

Just remember that the multi-cell compound in the tread of the Blizzaks only goes down half way. So once they're half worn down, they won't grip as good. Try not to spin your tires with the Blizzak's and rotate them often to preserve the tread.

P.S-make sure you buy a set of 4! You'll be doing 180's and fish-tails all over the place with the winter tires only on the front.

 

[SHOspazz92]

if you decide to go with studs, dont run over anyones foot eek!

 

[steevil]

the studs are defenitly slipperier on the dry.

On packed ice...the studs grip pretty good.

I had a set on my 4wd truck and on iced up side roads, they gripped like it was dry pavement.

On dry ashphalt, that was different story. I could blip the throttle and the back end would effortlessy kick out.

The studs are made of aluminum and sure as **** won't last you 6 years. After 2 years, my studs were worn right down.

I'd go for the Blizzaks, the city is pretty good about keeping the snow clear from major roadways.

 

[grfsSHO]

What 'Olympic' said! Blizzaks work great in our part of the world. No need for studs. Have a look at this website with survey results from Tirerack.com

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/winter.jsp

 

[wuzzzer]

Get the Blizzaks. And buy them from tirerack.com. I don't think you'll find them cheaper anywhere else. Unless shipping to Canada is $$$$$.
I have 215/60/16 size Blizzaks on my SHO and they were incredible last winter. The winter before that I had basically bald Bridgestone Potenza RE71s on. I understand your 'race slicks' description all too well! My car would do this: burn_out on anything that was a 1 degree incline or greater it seemed like.
The tires are expensive but they work great. The day I had them installed I drove on a street that was covered in packed snow and ice. I jammed on the brakes and my car stopped NOW. I couldn't believe how well they gripped.

 

[SHO5]

Get the blizzaks. I got blizzaks on my car and this is my 3 winter with them.I haven tput them on yet but i will. and as far as studs, dont get them, stay with the studless.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

The blizzaks are a good tire. However, you have 2 choices on the michelins. There is the Arctic Alpin and the Pilot Alpin. The Pilot is geared to more sportier cars, such as ours. Remember when getting a snow tire, stick with the stock size. In snow, skinnier is better. Also, I don't know if Canada has these, but the Nokian Hakkapelita is an EXCELLENT snow/ice tire. Made by the swedes. Those will run circles around your bridgestones and michelins.

 

[SHOCRUZR]

The blizzaks vs. studded snow tires debate will depend on where are you from and where you're doing your driving. Edmonton, Alberta? If mostly paved roads and they're fast in cleaning up the streets then I will go for the blizzaks. If you're driving on mostly country roads or back roads then I would lean towards the studded ones especially if they don't clean the snow off the roads.


<small>[ September 30, 2002, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: SHOCRUZR ]</small>