That's interesting because last time I took the A2 via the Gotthard tunnel, they were tearing up the road (again) and seemed to be removing the surface that had been put in to gove more grip in winter. I'm not sure what is in the compound on that road, it looks like broken glass.
It's the other way around. People with studded tyres point and laugh at people struggling to put chains on.
For what it's worth, when I was planning the Arctic Circle trip, I dismissed chains as the first choice early on. They're noisy, uncomfortable and occasionally snap, making both a mess and causing you real issues if you don't have a limited slip differential.
But they are easier to carry than a set of four tyres.
You can drive a lot faster with studded tyres than chains. That said, studded tyres seem to mostly illegal around the alps because they damage the road surface if there's no snow.
Giggle! You ever used tyre chains? Over here, you don't have the choice - AFAIK studs are illegal. But in a place where there's snow and ice on the roads for several months of the year, studs are the way forwards - literally :-)
(that said, when it gets really hairy, chains win again. That's why the tractors at the ski resorts have them - and they're really serious sets :-) )
cheers, clive
i always thought people used tyre chains rather than mess about with studded tyres
Thats your choice! I have no problem with them.
Doesn't even in the wilds of Yorkshire IME. Bit disappointing really :-(
cheers, clive
nope never used studded tyres or chains and yeah i'm one of the 'idiots' that uses summer tyres all year. just doesn't get cold enough in essex to need them i find.
Depends. If you are likely to get 6 months of not seeing tarmac, and a legal need to change tyres anyway, why piss about with chains.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required