Arctic Alpins

[Diva]

I have had them on my '02 OBW for about 2 weeks now, and we've had two minor
snows here -- just enough to really screw up the driving. Tuesday morning I
looked out my kitchen window and in the distance I can see a busy road where
the cars are usually going 45-50 mph. They looked to be going about 15 max.
When I got out there I noticed that none of the roads were salted, and I
gave the car a little test spin in the cul-de-sac where I live. The ABS
brakes went on and the car came to an immediate stop without much slipping
at all. I drove all the way to work without a minute's worry (about 30 miles
on country 2-lane roads), and I didn't have to go slow like the rest of the
drivers. I wasn't going posted speeds, but I was doing a fair clip without
any problems whatsoever. I drove on the Bridgestone factory tires last
winter, and now it handles like a different car altogether. I love these
Michelins.

June

 

[Greg]

I think you'll find that almost any "winter" tire is better than a standard
M&S tire. I've had Bridgestone Blizzak's of the MZ02 and WS50 variety on my
Subaru's and they handle great. Very confidence inspiring, which can also
make them dangerous unless you control yourself as you apparently do.

 

[S]

Hi June, All!

I love these
Michelins.

Aren't they wonderful? I use a set on my WRX. They suffered thru a
couple winter series autocross events (too lazy to change 'em ;-),
several ice rallycross events (1st place at one), and lots of fairly
aggressive 'round-town action last winter. They're back on the car
again for another go-round, and still offer excellent grip on icy
roads, and surprisingly good manners on dry pavement.

Ice racing starts the weekend after NewYears . . . yahoo!

ByeBye! S.


Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[That Guy]

I'll top-post too...

I'm also a fan of winter tires. I chose Alpins because they handle very
well on dry and wet pavement as well as on snow and ice, and I'm lazy so I
left them on year-round (I know that's not the best way to use winter tires,
but oh well...)

 

[null]

I have had them on my '02 OBW for about 2 weeks now, and we've had two
minor
snows here -- just enough to really screw up the driving. Tuesday
morning I
looked out my kitchen window and in the distance I can see a busy road
where
the cars are usually going 45-50 mph. They looked to be going about 15
max.
When I got out there I noticed that none of the roads were salted, and I
gave the car a little test spin in the cul-de-sac where I live. The ABS
brakes went on and the car came to an immediate stop without much
slipping
at all. I drove all the way to work without a minute's worry (about 30
miles
on country 2-lane roads), and I didn't have to go slow like the rest of
the
drivers. I wasn't going posted speeds, but I was doing a fair clip
without
any problems whatsoever. I drove on the Bridgestone factory tires last
winter, and now it handles like a different car altogether. I love these
Michelins.

June

Artic Alpins are great as are Blizzaks. Like other posters say you'll find
any 'winter' tire performs
better then a mud and snow tire. Which winter tire is better depends on
the conditions in your area.
The big difference between M&S tires and winter tires is the rubber
compound and the siping. Winter
tires are made of a compound that stays more pliable as the temperature
drops and more siping gives the
tire more surface area to grip with. The softer compound is great in
winter but only let the tire wear about
1.5 seasons if driven on dry roads in temperatures above say 40F.

There are tires for regular snow packed roads, there are tires for deep
snow, and there are tires for ice.
What works for you might not work for someone else. Here in upstate NY,
they're pretty good about clearing the
snow after a storm so even after getting 12-24 inches, within 24 hours
your driving on wet slush or if on major
roads they've plowed enough and salted to the point where the road is now
dry. Here Artic Alpins are overboard 80% of
the time but if you need control during the storm they're great.

I've talked to Subaru drivers, small/large truck drivers, etc and its a
wash whether Alpins or Blizzaks as I said it depends
on your personal circumstances.

I'm glad you like your Michelans just remember not everyone is as smart
and thinks their M&S tires are just as good, be careful out there and
enjoy the snow.

 

[LeBernadin]

Pirelli 210's are great for Scoobies too. They're about a half-notch below
Blizzak's for snow traction but are much better when it comes to
cornering/steering, noise, wear, and the most important; wet/dry traction.

As "null" said, if you're in an urban enough area where major
roads/highways are cleared at a decent clip, which is most of the US,
Blizzaks/Alpin's are overkill for the majority of the winter. Plus more
importantly you're setup for SNOW conditions when most of the time its dry
during the winter.

But during the storm, and if you travel to ski country, or like to play in
the snow all 3 are great.

 

[Diva]

Thanks. I did a lot of research before I bought these. I know they are just the thing for this area. I'm always on the lookout for crazies when driving in snow. Thanks for the good wishes.

June

I have had them on my '02 OBW for about 2 weeks now, and we've had two
minor
snows here -- just enough to really screw up the driving. Tuesday
morning I
looked out my kitchen window and in the distance I can see a busy road
where
the cars are usually going 45-50 mph. They looked to be going about 15
max.
When I got out there I noticed that none of the roads were salted, and I
gave the car a little test spin in the cul-de-sac where I live. The ABS
brakes went on and the car came to an immediate stop without much
slipping
at all. I drove all the way to work without a minute's worry (about 30
miles
on country 2-lane roads), and I didn't have to go slow like the rest of
the
drivers. I wasn't going posted speeds, but I was doing a fair clip
without
any problems whatsoever. I drove on the Bridgestone factory tires last
winter, and now it handles like a different car altogether. I love these
Michelins.

June

Artic Alpins are great as are Blizzaks. Like other posters say you'll find
any 'winter' tire performs
better then a mud and snow tire. Which winter tire is better depends on
the conditions in your area.
The big difference between M&S tires and winter tires is the rubber
compound and the siping. Winter
tires are made of a compound that stays more pliable as the temperature
drops and more siping gives the
tire more surface area to grip with. The softer compound is great in
winter but only let the tire wear about
1.5 seasons if driven on dry roads in temperatures above say 40F.

There are tires for regular snow packed roads, there are tires for deep
snow, and there are tires for ice.
What works for you might not work for someone else. Here in upstate NY,
they're pretty good about clearing the
snow after a storm so even after getting 12-24 inches, within 24 hours
your driving on wet slush or if on major
roads they've plowed enough and salted to the point where the road is now
dry. Here Artic Alpins are overboard 80% of
the time but if you need control during the storm they're great.

I've talked to Subaru drivers, small/large truck drivers, etc and its a
wash whether Alpins or Blizzaks as I said it depends
on your personal circumstances.

I'm glad you like your Michelans just remember not everyone is as smart
and thinks their M&S tires are just as good, be careful out there and
enjoy the snow.

 

[Diva]

I need them for back roads. I drive on back roads most of the way to work in the snow where there is no road treatment. They seem to be great for that.

June

Pirelli 210's are great for Scoobies too. They're about a half-notch below
Blizzak's for snow traction but are much better when it comes to
cornering/steering, noise, wear, and the most important; wet/dry traction.

As "null" said, if you're in an urban enough area where major
roads/highways are cleared at a decent clip, which is most of the US,
Blizzaks/Alpin's are overkill for the majority of the winter. Plus more
importantly you're setup for SNOW conditions when most of the time its dry
during the winter.

But during the storm, and if you travel to ski country, or like to play in
the snow all 3 are great.