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I agree that testing colder conditions would be useful, but I guess you get into problems with it being ice and snow that you're testing, not the "summer tyres
by pm215 13d ago
I agree that testing colder conditions would be useful, but I guess you get into problems with it being ice and snow that you're testing, not the "summer tyres get too hard in the cold" hypothesis.
It's winter if it's noticeably cooler than summer. For instance London's climate has a January average minimum temperature of just under 3C, which is very clearly winter compared to the July minimum of 14C. (figures from Met office site on their Heathrow station.) While the temperature does drop below 0C sometimes, it is not consistently below zero.
In southern England pretty much nobody changes tyres for winter -- you just use the same set all year. Optimising for "2C in the wet" seems about right...
- IsTom 13d ago> but I guess you get into problems with it being ice and snow that you're testing If it's not actively snowing for a few days roads get clear by thawing during day because of salt/cars being hot/sun shining. The "summer tyres get too hard in the cold" idea could very well come from places where the typical winter is at least < -5°C. It's not uncommon in central/eastern/northern europe for temperatures to be < -10°C for extended periods of time.
- rjsw 13d agoThe crossover point where winter tyres work better is < +7°C, it doesn't need to be below freezing.
- pm215 13d agoThe linked article claims "in dry conditions, summer tires have the best grip down to 0C", though, which doesn't seem to match where you suggest the crossover point is.
- attila-lendvai 13d agowhich is my experience, too. winter tires, especially the snow versions, are straight out a source of danger here in central europe. i just put some snow chains in for the winter surptises, and ride with my summer tires because its grip is clearly better on dry and wet bithumen, even in near zero temps, which is most of the season.
- sgerenser 13d agoDid you read the article? I thought his whole point is that little piece of folk wisdom didn't turn out to be true in actual testing.