Velcro tires - what is it? Winter tires: spikes or velcro?

Life is moving inexorably forward. Winter is ahead, which means that the topic of winter tires is again relevant. What are the best winter tires - spikes or velcro? Studded rubber, according to most motorists, does not show itself on dry and relatively clean asphalt. The roads, covered with ice and snow, are their elements. Frictional tires are great for traveling around the city. Is it true? We learn from the article.

Winter Velcro tires - what is it?

This is what friction rubber is called. It is not very popular, if you compare it with studded models. However, the popularity of stickers is growing every year. For those who travel a lot around the city, this rubber will fit perfectly. So the producers consider.

This tire is without a spike. It differs from ordinary non-studded tires with a special rubber composition. So, the tire perfectly adapts to the most different temperature differences. These friction tires differ by a special tread pattern, and they are also softer.

The tread pattern here is distinguished by the depth and number of sipes. The special composition allows much better to absorb water from the roadway. The tire literally clings to the road. From this effect, motorists and so began to call this rubber.

Production does not stand still. And if earlier it was thought that there was simply no alternative to spikes for winter, today the situation is changing. According to manufacturers, there is practically no difference in behavior on dry or wet roads, and friction tire performance is getting better from year to year.

And on a wet road, and on a dry machine, which is rubber-Velcro, will go much more confidently than on the thorns. In the first case, the stopping distance and noise during driving are reduced. On the ice cover the Velcro is only slightly inferior to the studded tire. On the snow-covered cover, the spikes are practically not functioning, and since all the load goes to the protector, the friction variant here wins.

What are the Velcro

There are arctic (Scandinavian) tires and European models. The latter are suitable for those who live in regions with a milder climate. Characteristics, rather, all-weather. European tires show themselves well with a little frost. For those who live north, Scandinavian models are best suited.

Scandinavian tire: choose correctly

In order not to fall for deception, choosing which winter Velcro tires to buy, you need to remember a few nuances. So, specialists in the sale of rubber write that this is the choice for soft winters. Such tires are distinguished by a huge number of small sipes, the rubber composition is softer, and it is more angular. "Europeans" are more rounded and firm. They can also be distinguished by the speed index. Thus, for European latitudes, faster models with H and V markers are created, while the northern models are designed for lower speeds.

Clean asphalt

For our country, only "arctic" models are relevant. We'll check how good the Velcro tires are, what kind of product it is, and why it's a better choice on asphalt. We will not go into theoretical research, but we will start to consider the results immediately.

Asphalt test is considered a weak spot of studded tires. There is an opinion that they slow down at speeds of 80 km / h. But according to the test results, the spikes still brake, and quite well. These tests were conducted by independent experts from Finland, they can be trusted. Velcro however have different results. Thus, the stopping distance was 33.1 m to 41.1 m. The toothy rubber showed from 35.3 to 38 m. Unexpectedly, it was believed that the spikes would lose on the asphalt. We can say that the Velcro has lost, but not all, but only a part. For example, the Velcro buses made worse than the cheap models from Kama.

On dry asphalt, friction pads, of course, went to the winners, but they did not win too much from the studs. According to the results of the Finnish study, it is difficult to say what is better on asphalt. Modern studded models in no way inferior Velcro.

On ice and snow

Let's look at the same Finnish test of Velcro tires, but in the worst winter conditions. Perhaps urban asphalt tires will show unexpected results?

As shown by the data of one of the most authoritative automobile publications - "Autoreview", on the snow cover friction tires showed themselves perfectly. The car was accelerated to 50 km / h. So, Velcro showed a result of 7.7 to 9.5 seconds, while tires with spikes accelerated from 8.7 to 10.5 seconds. The difference is clearly visible.

On the road with twisty turns, "asphalt rubber" slightly "toothy" brothers for a few seconds. And again the question: winter tires spikes or velcro?

Our roads rarely please motorists with rolled snow. More frequent case - a thick porridge of snow with water. Here, friction gears significantly benefit in the stability of the movement. Even the best, expensive and rating studded model loses traction with the road surface already at a speed of 21.2 km / h. This is lower than the worst Velcro tires. What is it, how not winning in favor of friction? The figures show that the cheap Velcro loses its grip only at a speed of 22.6 km / h.

Therefore, if you drive more often in such mud, this is your choice, otherwise you will have to slow down. Also, spikes under the described conditions lead to drifts, loss of controllability and accidents.

On the ice, the opposite is true. Here, metal "teeth" are eternal leaders. For a complete stop at a speed of 25 km / h, a "toothy" tire requires 13 m. It took 13.2 to 14.8 m for the stickers. Only the models from Pirelli and Nokian won the test of the tire-stickers in this nomination.

By the way, if you want to see the results between the "arctic" and "European" models, then we note that the representative of tires for the softer climate Dmack Winter Safe was able to stop only after 16.2 m.

On an icy winding road

At such arrivals we have to gain a higher speed. During the test, tire safety indicators were checked. On the thorns, the ice circle was tested for 25.8-29.8 seconds. Velcro for 34.3-38.3 seconds. The worst studded model on a winding track showed 88 seconds. And winter tires tackled in just 96 seconds. This once again proves that on the ice friction rubber is much weaker and in all loses to the "toothy" representatives.

As for the noise level, the Velcro is at its height here. Therefore, if you for the most part drive on city roads and do not like excessive noise, it is definitely your choice.

In theory

Why do drivers err in their judgments about winter tires? On a solid road surface with a studded tire, everything is clear. It is believed that this rubber clings to the asphalt spines. And in fact they are heated inside. So, the contact spot of two representatives of this camp is the same. In addition, the protector of "toothy" - more solid. That's why on the asphalt studded tires easily won from the friction models.

But something is missed on the tests. The test on ice was conducted at a frost from fourteen to seventeen degrees, on the asphalt the thermometer readings rose above zero.

Studded metamorphosis

In severe Russian frosts, such a wheel significantly changes its behavior. Very hard ice strongly heats the spike into the tire protector. It's all the same, and it does not have thorns at all. In addition, the rubber becomes very cold in the frost, which also significantly worsens the grip parameters. This is true on the ice and on the asphalt.

So, on a strong cracking frost tires-Velcro winter - the best in all respects. The behavior of the car with them is more reliable and predictable, which means it's safe. Even in Siberia, people choose friction models. It is also correct when Velcro is purchased for a city where most of the streets are regularly cleared of snow.

Of course, for ice, this solution does not work. This is a weak spot for friction tires. Even the most rated Velcro tires 2013-2014 season just slightly catch up with the "toothy" classics. But again, it all depends on the type of road surface. For the city, winter tires are the best at the moment.

TOP-5 of the best stickers

Experts who conducted the tests, picked up five models from different manufacturers.

• The first place was taken by the X-ice model from the legendary manufacturer Michelin (France).
• On the second place - "Nokian Happelita" R2.
• The third place was taken by the model Blizzak WS70 from the Japanese brand "Bridgestone".
• "Pirelli Ice Control" settled down in fourth place.
• ContiVicing Contact from the world manufacturer Continental completes this rating.

Velcro tires "Dunlop"

For some reason, the rating did not include the products of this manufacturer. And very vain. For example, the 2013 model - "SP Winter Sport 4D" - is manufactured using innovative technologies. The manufacturer "Dunlop" tried to maximize safety, as well as significantly improve the information content of this rubber. With this bus, drivers can feel confident in any conditions and in any frost.

Tests were conducted, as a result of which independent experts noted excellent handling, an incredibly short stopping distance, excellent lateral stability of the car. Among the shortcomings - a large rolling resistance and a high level of noise in the cabin of the car. Experts recommend these Velcro tires. That this is a good choice for Russian winter, there is no doubt.

So, we found out which car tires are best in this or that condition. The choice is yours!