snow tire rec.

[sad_rocc at yahoo.com (Dan Smith)]

Interesting. The previous tires on the car literally didn't even have small grooves where the tread used to be so I got used to the tires spinning on everything and anything. These tires allow me to drive on snowpack like I do on dry roads. Anything is better than what we had, so perhaps I am more impressed with these tires simply because they are new. Lacy's car is a stock auto 2.0 jetta, nothing where handling really matters or gets tested. I do deliver pizzas in the heart of the Rockies though, where we don't use salt and the city prefers not to plow until the storm is ending so I needed a tire designed for studless ice traction and these . Now if only it will snow! I like that they have the silica layer for good grip and then become all-seasons when it wears away, so I can keep the tires on year round. At the price, there's no need to keep them as dedicated snows and save them. The test will be if I can get up my hill to my house without requiring a running start when there's
 3-4" of snow on top of a sheet of ice. When that happens, I'll let you know my impressions.
 
Dan

"Mark F." <mk1mark@gmail.com> wrote:
>From my research the Graspic is a pile of poo... Crappy dry handling,
and not even that good of a winter tire...

I visited Frank and Dan Sprongl's shop (multiple Canadian rally
champs) last week and he highly recommended the Yokohama IceGuard 10. 
It's got full depth sipes, and is a very soft compound. Dry handling
isn't supposed to be that great either, but as with any dedicated
winter tire dry handling is compromised...

I'm going to be buying Nokian WR tires for my Audi. They're an "all
weather" tire - NOT all season, as they're rated for severe winter
duty (have the snowflake symbol)... As I do a lot of highway driving
(in warmer climates), I needed a tire that wouldn't degrade too
quickly, and is half decently "sporty" in the dry. Plus with quattro,
I can get away with slightly less snow grip than an all-out winter
tire and still make it though... We get a decent amount of snow where
I live (Niagara Falls area), but not as much as most of Canada, so a
hardcore winter tire is a bit overkill on an awd vehicle here...

The Michelin X-ice looks to be a decent tire, but the sipes only run a
few mm into the tread, so once the sipes are gone the tire will
suck... Same goes for the Cambodian Tire Nordic Icetrac, or any of
the "budget" winter tires...

I used Michelin Arctic Alpin (replaced by the X-ice) tires last year,
and they were a good compromise tire - not a real deep snow tire, but
great on ice, and still had all-season-like dry handling... The
compound is a bit hard for my liking though...

Nokian Hakka's are probably the best serious snow tire (bought a set
for my Mom this year), but they're a bit pricey...

Anyone else have some input?

Mark.
75
80 S
81 Caddy
90 Audi Coupe Quattro - 10vt

		
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