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

Originally posted by f365gt22:

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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

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I'm trying to save gas these days, so I set cruise at 140km on the way to work. It's not easy, you know! My right foot is just itching to mash it!

So here's a quetion - do the Pilot Alpins give up any foul weather traction capability over the Arctic Alpins to get the higher speed rating? I think they'd have to. The chart on the Michelin site seems to reflect this as well. Decisions, decisions...

Delmar,

Check out the Blizzak LM-22s for speeds like that! I shuttle between Montreal and Ottawa on a bi-weekly basis and wanted winter tires primarily for highway conditions and high speed use. These guys are extremely good as high perfromance tires, and they're Blizzaks!

Harry

You will lose some wet and icy weather traction using the Pilot Alpins instead of Arctic Alpins, but they're still amazing. You'd have to be doing something pretty stupid to notice things around corners and such, but with 2 identical cars coming off a traffic light turning green, the one with Arctic Alpins on a snowy or wet day will pull about 1/2 a car length ahead by the time you get through the intersection. Mind you, the guy with all seasons will still be 2-3 car lengths back. I think the Pilot Alpins are geared towards 'Vettes and Porsches. No reason why you can't use them on your car though. I believe they are good to about 130mph.

For the price you'd pay for Pilot Alpins you could get a set of Nokian Hakka 1's. Way better tire IMHO. They will handle the high speeds, as they are built for good lateral grip, and they last a long time with the material thay are made of. I got a set from Steelcase Tires in Markham on 15" rims for $688 out the door (mounted, balanced,installed, taxes in)
Can't go wrong with that!!!!

Let me add a voice for the Nokian Hakka 1's. They are an amazing tire with excellent lateral grip which is what you need. Pulling away from a light is one thing. Staying on the road around a curve is another. Most accidents are caused by the loss of lateral grip.

The Michelins are a very good tire but with the very small sipes they will tend to fill up in the snow. A snow tire needs wide lugs to throw the snow from the tread. On cold pavement the Michelins will work well and will be much better in the snow than an all-season tire. However, The Hakka 1 with wide lugs, the compound and and the directional tread is arguably the best winter tire for every condition. I run 130-140 kph on the 401 and there is no squirm whatsoever. In snow it is as if it wasn't there. Just put the car in gear and drive away. Plus the price from Steelcase is excellent. I paid more in Guelph at Ted's Tire Discounters (approx $900+ 4 tires, 15" rims,taxes installation, if I recall correctly) but I do not complain. If you ever buy a set, you will not switch brands ever again. The tires are that good.

Plus Ted is the most knowledgeable guy I have meet in terms of snow tires. He also sells the Michelin, Toyo's and other tires so he can talk to the relative merits of each. Most other retailers push one brand primarily. If you are ever in the Guelph area, it is worth dropping by his store just to get his talk on snow tires.

Never heard of Nokian. I'll have to give them a looksie. Thanks!
Kevin

Originally posted by LBVSVT:

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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.

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LBVSVT, I sent you a PM.

Delmar-

I've had the Nordic IceTraks on 15" wheels on my 99 SVT for two winters now. No complaints whatsoever.

Problem was finding the 15" steel wheels: Ours are an odd size, and it turned out to be cheaper to buy them from Ford, at $80 apiece. Would have been $120+ from after-market sources.

Originally posted by steener:

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Delmar-

I've had the Nordic IceTraks on 15" wheels on my 99 SVT for two winters now. No complaints whatsoever.

Problem was finding the 15" steel wheels: Ours are an odd size, and it turned out to be cheaper to buy them from Ford, at $80 apiece. Would have been $120+ from after-market sources.

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I called Steecase, and they said it would have to be a Saab wheel, $74 a piece. And I thought Crappy Tire would have 'em cheaper. Maybe I was wrong.

Campbell Ford in Ottawa sold me 15" 4 bolt steel wheels last November for my 98 SVT for $62 each.

Heavy suckers, those wheels, but made in Germany with a lovely Ford oval stamped into the steel.

If Campbell's could do it for $62 a pop (plus tax), then GTA dealers should be able to match.