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Bike Spikes for tackling snow and ice + video Bike Spikes for tackling snow and ice + video
Bike Spikes

Bike Spikes for tackling snow and ice + video

Dutch product designer creates snow chains for bicycles
by David Arthur @davearthur
Wed, Jan 23, 2013 16:32
9

The past week has seen the country hit with a fair amount of snow, making cycling - whether commuting to work, training or just going out for fun - quite tricky. And a little dangerous.

Step forward Bike Spikes. Created by Dutch product designer Cesar van Rongen, obviously keen to still get out by bike, they’re essentially snow chains for bikes. They comprise six flexible components that interlock and wrap around the wheel. A row of short metal studs delivers traction on snow and ice. And another benefit is the extra visibility their bright colour will give you.

You really need to watch this video to see just how good they look. Traction looks impressive even on ice. It could be a more appealing a solution than buying studded tyres and changing them when it snows. You know, if we continue to get snow every winter, I might just have to invest in some. Sure beats the turbo trainer.

They fit to any road bike tyres and are easily removed, and fold flat for storage when they're not needed. Check out Cesar's website for more info www.cesarvanrongen.nl. We're not sure if they're actually in production yet, but we've dropped an email to Cesar to find out.

winter riding
Bike Spikes
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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9 comments

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farrell | 11 years ago
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Anyone ever used the cable tie method?

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PhilRuss replied to farrell | 11 years ago
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farrell wrote:

Anyone ever used the cable tie method?

[[[[ Nope....I used to pop me seven-ounce Pirelli tubs on, pump'em up very hard, make a cup of tea & watch telly until the bleedin' ice disappeared.
P.R.

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KiwiMike | 11 years ago
0 likes

I own a set of AutoSocks for the car. They are waaaaay better than chains, basically a synthetic woolly, er, sock for your tyre. Totally quiet, sticks like a blanket to the proverbial, and now approved for alpine roads in Europe instead of chains.

What cycling needs is the same thing - basically a knitted, tight-fitting tube around the tyre. Silent, super-light, super-low-profile, folds up smaller than a tyre and possibly a universal fit for road or MTB. Maybe there's a reason that wouldn't work (speeds too low to throw snow out of the tread?), and this will. As others have said, the noise is a major issue.

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mike_ibcyclist | 11 years ago
0 likes

Great commuter solution. Fold them up put them in your brief case and you're set.

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JonoB | 11 years ago
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That's an awful rattling noise as the spikes hit against the mudguards and frame. Personally, that would drive me mad after a while.
Snow chains on car tyres have the same problems: are noisy and keep coming loose and removing paint from your body work........then your hands get frozen when you are forced to fix them before you can continue your journey.......

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lludwell. | 11 years ago
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The video appears to be the spikes in prototype stage and the photos of either a final production run of a better prototype... The thing that strikes me on the photos is there are no 'spikes' on the shoulder of the tyre 39 so cornering is still going to be dangerous.

Currently i'll be sticking to the 4 minute job of putting on Schwalbe ice spike tyres on the first morning of heavy snow. 4

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Colin Peyresourde | 11 years ago
0 likes

A distinct lack of road bike tyres. I don't think I would put these on my tyre even if they were designed especially because of the problem of snow build up on the wheel. Forget disc brakes, you'll have a snow brake, permanently on.

Otherwise I think it looks pretty awesome.

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ubercurmudgeon | 11 years ago
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Wow, a product designer actually coming up with something useful for cyclists. Such practicality will never win him any design awards. He better add a 3D render depicting his invention fitted to a bike with spokeless wheels, and with key parts like derailleurs floating in mid-air, or he'll get drummed out of the designers' union.

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offshore_dave | 11 years ago
0 likes

I'll pass, thanks.

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