Winter Bike Tyres: Six Options for Your Route, Bike and Budget
There is more to a winter tyre choice than Ice Spiker Pro versus Marathon Plus. Start with ice exposure, then consider your bike’s wheel size, clearance, puncture protection and budget. This guide compares three studded choices and three non-studded commuting options.
For routes with ice: compare Schwalbe Winter, Marathon Winter Plus and Ice Spiker Pro. For roads kept clear of ice: compare Marathon Performance, Marathon Plus and Marathon E-Plus. A non-studded commuting tyre is not an equivalent replacement for a studded tyre on ice.
Six options, different priorities
| Your priority | Start with | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Studs on a tighter budget | Schwalbe Winter | Simpler protection and fewer studs than Winter Plus; fit matters. |
| Icy commuting and puncture protection | Marathon Winter Plus | Studded city/touring option; currently unavailable in our listed sizes. |
| Icy MTB paths and trails | Ice Spiker Pro | More pronounced tread; needs MTB-width clearance and a larger budget. |
| Value for cleared-road commuting | Marathon Performance | 3 mm GreenGuard protection; no studs. |
| Puncture protection on cleared roads | Marathon Plus | 5 mm SmartGuard protection; no studs. |
| E-bike use on cleared roads | Marathon E-Plus | E-bike-focused construction and protection; no studs. |
Availability checked 4 November 2026. Stock and prices can change; each product page shows the current options. Supplier availability does not mean the tyre is on the shelf in Hubbards.
Schwalbe Winter
Lower-cost studs for winter commuting
A starting point for a commuter or older mountain bike when you want metal studs at a lower price. Winter uses fewer studs than Marathon Winter Plus and a simpler puncture-protection layer. Choose it for the price and fit, rather than expecting the same construction as the Plus model.
The available option at this update is 26 × 1.75. The listed 700C options are unavailable; check the selector before ordering.
Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus
Studded commuting with stronger puncture protection
The closer comparison for a daily winter commute with icy sections. Marathon Winter Plus combines a studded tread with SmartGuard puncture protection. Compared with Schwalbe Winter, it puts more emphasis on puncture protection and stud coverage; compared with Ice Spiker Pro, its focus is city and touring use.
Currently unavailable in all sizes listed in our shop. Included here to explain the choice; email us about availability rather than substituting a non-studded Marathon for icy conditions.
Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro
Studded MTB option for icy paths and trails
Consider this when your winter route includes icy paths or off-road riding and your bike has clearance for a mountain-bike tyre. Its pronounced tread and metal studs make it a different proposition from a narrow commuting tyre. It is a more substantial, higher-cost choice than Schwalbe Winter.
Available options at this update are 27.5 × 2.25 and 29 × 2.60. Other listed sizes and constructions are unavailable. A 29-inch MTB tyre and a 700C commuter tyre may share a bead-seat diameter but have very different clearance needs.
Schwalbe Marathon Performance
Lower-cost everyday riding on cleared roads
For riders comparing practical year-round commuting tyres when the route is clear of ice. Marathon Performance uses a 3 mm GreenGuard puncture-protection layer and costs less than the Plus options in our catalogue. It has no studs: the saving is a commuting choice, not a substitute for ice traction.
Check the selected size and its e-bike approval. Several 700C and 26-inch options are listed, but availability differs by size.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Puncture protection for daily commuting
Choose the standard Marathon Plus when avoiding flats on cleared roads is your main priority. Its 5 mm SmartGuard layer is the key distinction from Marathon Performance. It is a non-studded commuting and touring tyre; the word “Plus” does not make it the studded Marathon Winter Plus.
A useful comparison for regular commuters, with multiple wheel sizes in the catalogue. Select the exact size before checking price and availability.
Schwalbe Marathon E-Plus
E-bike commuting on cleared roads
An e-bike-focused, non-studded option for commuting and touring. Marathon E-Plus uses Smart DualGuard puncture protection and an ADDIX E compound. Compare it with Marathon Plus when your bike’s load, speed rating and daily use are the deciding factors. It does not add metal-stud grip for ice.
The available option at this update is 700 × 38C. Confirm the exact tyre’s load and speed ratings against your bike and use.
Match the tyre to your bike before choosing the model
- Read the ISO/ETRTO size on the sidewall. Match the bead-seat diameter; a similar-looking inch label is not enough.
- Check width and clearance. Measure space at the frame, fork and mudguards. Allow room for the tread and studs; do not choose a wide MTB tyre solely because the rim diameter matches.
- Compare the exact construction. Wire bead, folding and tubeless-ready options can have different prices and requirements. Do not assume every version of the same model is tubeless-ready.
- For an e-bike, check the selected version. Confirm speed and load approval, rim compatibility and the bike manufacturer’s requirements.
Two common decisions
Schwalbe Winter or Marathon Winter Plus?
Start with Winter if price and a compatible available size are the deciding factors. Consider Marathon Winter Plus when you want studded commuting traction with stronger puncture protection. If the suitable size is unavailable, ask us about options rather than buying a different diameter or exceeding your bike’s clearance.
Marathon Performance, Plus or E-Plus?
For roads kept clear of ice, compare Performance for value, Plus for its thicker SmartGuard protection, and E-Plus for an e-bike-focused construction. These are three non-studded choices. If your route regularly freezes, return to the studded comparison.
Bed in new studs and check pressure
Follow the instructions supplied with your studded tyres. The catalogue guidance for Winter, Marathon Winter Plus and Ice Spiker Pro calls for approximately 40 km on asphalt without hard acceleration or braking to seat the studs. Use the pressure range for the exact tyre and rim combination; there is no single winter pressure suitable for every rider and bike.
Want help narrowing it down?
Email bike@scotiacycle.com with your bike model, a photo of the tyre’s sidewall size, and whether you ride cleared roads, icy commutes or trails. Include your budget and whether the bike is electric, and we can help check a suitable option.
Browse winter riding essentials → · Bike service in Hubbards →
Manufacturer references: Winter, Marathon Winter Plus, Ice Spiker Pro, Marathon Plus and Marathon E-Plus. Match the specifications of the version offered in our shop.