Retractable studded tires!

[wa-loaf]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23869393/

 

[Hawkshot99]

I bet they are lots of $$$$

 

[BeanoNYC]

That is COOL! No mention of cost, though.

 

[wa-loaf]

I bet they are lots of $$$$

That is COOL! No mention of cost, though.

I'm sure they'll be pricey, but it's still cool. Price will probably get better in a few years. I'm sure some of the big companies will come up with knock-offs that get around their patents.

 

[riverc0il]

In their presentation to Maine's Transportation Committee, promoters made no secret that the tires would cost 30 percent more than a comparable winter tire, either with or without studs. But motorists can recoup the extra cost by avoiding the twice-a-year ritual of mounting and un-mounting their snow tires, Starr said.

30% more than comparable tires which is too much of a premium for my tastes but I could see this being a worth while purchase if the difference in price was not so great. What is weird about the quote above is the comment about "avoiding the twice-a-year ritual of mounting and un-mounting their snow tires." If these are snow tires with studs, drivers would still do well to switch out the tire to avoid wearing the snow tire during dry months which makes me wonder if this is really just an all season with studs or if this Starr guy is not entirely with the program. Just because the tred wouldn't wear if it was retractable does not mean the snow tire tread itself wouldn't be worth saving.

 

[deadheadskier]

30% more than comparable tires which is too much of a premium for my tastes but I could see this being a worth while purchase if the difference in price was not so great. What is weird about the quote above is the comment about "avoiding the twice-a-year ritual of mounting and un-mounting their snow tires." If these are snow tires with studs, drivers would still do well to switch out the tire to avoid wearing the snow tire during dry months which makes me wonder if this is really just an all season with studs or if this Starr guy is not entirely with the program. Just because the tred wouldn't wear if it was retractable does not mean the snow tire tread itself wouldn't be worth saving.

I had the same thought. In addition to not wanting to have extra wear occur on the snows in summer months, many prefer a summer tire for better fuel economy and they run quieter

cool concept though.

 

[wa-loaf]

30% more than comparable tires which is too much of a premium for my tastes but I could see this being a worth while purchase if the difference in price was not so great. What is weird about the quote above is the comment about "avoiding the twice-a-year ritual of mounting and un-mounting their snow tires." If these are snow tires with studs, drivers would still do well to switch out the tire to avoid wearing the snow tire during dry months which makes me wonder if this is really just an all season with studs or if this Starr guy is not entirely with the program. Just because the tred wouldn't wear if it was retractable does not mean the snow tire tread itself wouldn't be worth saving.

yea that's not clear. I think the advantage would just be for winter driving and getting better handling and less noise when on dry pavement. I'd still want all season or summer tires.

 

[mondeo]

A lot of the cost can probably be taken out by using the wireless communication equipment now in use for tire pressure sensing to do this as well. The activation feature itself is probably just a couple solenoids hooked up to some pneumatic reservoirs and air lines.

I'd personally wait for Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, or Continental to come out with their own take on it, if they see a market. Studs are mainly for ice, and I wouldn't trust the tread and compound of a start-up with retractable studs over the non-studded performance of Blizzaks or similar quality snows. Just seeing the picture of the tire made me shudder; it's a summer tire with studs, for crying out loud. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/BigPic.jsp?sidewall=Blackwall&tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport

 

[ed-drum]

Snow tires wear out faster than regular tires because the rubber is softer. Snow tires also don't handle as well as regular tires when the roads are dry. So, these tires are for lazy people who don't want to change tires in the spring and fall. Consumer Reports does snow tires periodically, and I made my decision based on their info. Ed.