Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Eastern Canada winter tires... nordic ice trac?

My tire choices were either Michelin Pilot Alpins or Nokian WRs. It basically depended on my driving.

I spoke with a gentleman named Dave from Steelcase Tires & Mags up in Markham. He gave me a really good price on my tires and steelies. I got free balancing as well. I ended up talking with a few owners here, DSCR, and various boards. MANY were satisfied with their service.

One of the questions you need to ask is what kind of driving do you do with them? Highway? City? Combined? Your environmental conditions? etc. Going with a sticky tire like a Blizzak may be good for the first season. After a while and some warm temps, they wear FAST and you end up with an all-season tire. Sorry...not about to blow $140 per tire for something that ends up being an all-season.

I ended up going with the Nokian WRs. Compared with the Pilot Alpins, they are both H-rated tires. I do a LOT of highway driving...and need something that can withstand >160 km/h. The WRs are advertised as an all-season tire, but they do carry the severe service symbol. The Nokians were also $25 cheaper per tire than a similar Pilot Alpin.

Theanks for all the input, guys (and girl). I do mostly highway driving these days, going from Burlington to Mississauga and back via 407 - 401, so I definately need tires that will allow me to get to work on time, if ya know what I mean.

I don't know, but I think I'll stay away from the Blizzaks. I'm sure they're a great tire, but I think having confidence in your tires is almost as important as how well the tires handle, and the Blizzaks would be starting out a man short with my previous experience. Mind you, the guy that had them did drive like a maniac.

hey Aaron - I sent you a PM. where exactly are you located - maybe I'll stop by on the weekend. Thanks for the heads-up.

(Oh - one more thing... GO LEAFS GO! sorry, just got leaf tickets and I'm giddy! )

Originally posted by delmar:

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I don't know, but I think I'll stay away from the Blizzaks. I'm sure they're a great tire, but I think having confidence in your tires is almost as important as how well the tires handle, and the Blizzaks would be starting out a man short with my previous experience. Mind you, the guy that had them did drive like a maniac.

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Don't get us wrong. The Blizzaks are an amazing tire. It's just that its multicell compound makes it more ideal for some winter conditions than others. Considering you're doing highway jaunting like lauraq and myself, Blizzaks aren't for you. Most of the winter driving we see are salted or semi-slushed roads. There's ice, but most of time the MTO trucks have already salted them down.

PS. Who knows...maybe one of these days all us 401/407 roadies will cross paths one day

If you're looking for a used set, I may end up selling mine as I'm gonna get a used SVT rim set for the winters. I've got Nokian Hakkaplitta 1's on steel 15" rims size 195-60-15. I'll even throw in the wheel covers I bought last winter. PM me for more details if you're interested. Oh, I also do lotsa highway driving.

I have the Michelin Pilot Alpin. They are great!

Delmar I checked my PM but it shows nothing so I will post the info here, we are located in Toronto on 2639 Dundas St w. Since I come from Burlington I will tell you exactly how to get here it will only take like35-40min (and thats traveling at about 115km/h in rush hour traffic)...Take the QEW to Lakeshore Blvd West then take Llakeshore to Parkside and turn left follow Parkside upto Dundas, turn right and were are right after the 1st set of lights you can't miss us (it's a big green sign)

Aaron

P.S. I might not be in on Saturday but I have told boht of my bosses that you might be coming in their names are Terry and Marco so just tell them you were talking to me.

Originally posted by NVS Mystique:

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Delmar I checked my PM but it shows nothing so I will post the info here, we are located in Toronto on 2639 Dundas St w. Since I come from Burlington I will tell you exactly how to get here it will only take like35-40min (and thats traveling at about 115km/h in rush hour traffic)...Take the QEW to Lakeshore Blvd West then take Llakeshore to Parkside and turn left follow Parkside upto Dundas, turn right and were are right after the 1st set of lights you can't miss us (it's a big green sign)

Aaron

P.S. I might not be in on Saturday but I have told boht of my bosses that you might be coming in their names are Terry and Marco so just tell them you were talking to me.

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Thanks again. I'll try to make it by on saturday.

Let me add a few comments here. First of all, the Nordic Tracs are good value but you'll never regret purchasing a premium winter tire. I'd recommend giving LBVSVT a call. The Nokian Hakka 1's are amazing - the rally guys use them. I have set on my Tour and recommend them highly. The tires are from Finland and Nokian seems to specialise in winter tires. The Hakka 1's are a winter tire (not a snow tire) and work well on cold pavement as well as snow.

I tend to drive a tad above the posted limit and these tires will do it easily. If you are planning on keeping your car for a while the investment is well worth it. It is soo much fun to simply drive away while everyone else is stuck in their driveway.

For more info on the Nokian's. check their website www.nokiantires.com

I've got the Nordic Ice Trac's on my SVT rims. They work pretty good especially for Southern Ontario. I go to school in Sudbury (we actually get a real winter) and I've never got stuck. I do notice a fair bit of squirm due to the softer compound, but I've never had any other tire so I don't know if its normal (but I do some 'spirited driving' so that might be the cause). On the highway I do notice a bit of drifting as opposed to summer tires that always track straight. I went the Ice track route, basically for economical reasons, but, be careful with crappy tire, they scratched my front bumper in the spring and wouldn't admit it.

What ever you chose, it will be miles ahead of summer/all season tires. Just don't expect summer performance!

Depends on what kind of driver you are. I like the Arctic Alpins over the Nordic Ice-Trac and the Blizzaks. They give you the maximum traction possible for ice and snow, but then you lose dry cornering grip and top speed capability. If you like to drive over 100mph, you can step up to Pilot Alpins or another of the higher speed rating ice+snows. You have to ask yourself the question: Can I live with not going over 100mph for the next 5 months? If you can, my advice is go with the Arctic Alpins. They'll last you at least 4 or 5 winters if you take care of them. They did on my SHO.
Kevin