The reTyre Ice Racer is a zip-on, zip-off modular tire which allows you to adapt your tire tread to any environment. The reTyre One ($67 per set) is the slick tire base to which skins (different treads) attach via zipper. For this review, I’ve tested the Ice Racer skin ($191 per set).
The Ice Racer has 300 dual compound carbide studs with 12 unique locations in the contact patch. reTyre uses special rubber, which is designed to provide optimal traction and not stiffen in cold temperatures. They also have “specially engineered knobs that flex to shed snow.”
There are multiple skins for varying conditions. The Winter Traveler, which boasts 160 studs and a different tread pattern than the Ice Racer, is the lightest winter skin and recommended for urban commuting. They also offer the Gravel Chaser and the Trail Rider.
What I Liked
One Set of Tires for year-round Use
I was excited to test this product because winter cyclists are often confront the dilemma of needing to swap between studded and slick tires. After storms, when roads and bike paths are cleared, they find themselves riding their studs on dry pavement.
Easy to Zip on, Zip off
This tire provides a solution for needing to alternate bikes (as I do), when riding studs on dry pavement, or changing tires. You can attach the studded skin, and in the matter minutes, be back to slick tires. I found changing skins to be an easy process. The skins also roll up nicely and can be stored in the bags provided by reTyre and stashed in your pannier or backpack in case of changing conditions throughout the day.
Performance
When testing the reTyre Ice Racers I thought of potential issues that could arise. Firstly, I was concerned about rolling resistance. I didn’t notice a significant difference in resistance with these tires. reTyre notes that they did pay attention to this detail and made their tires as light as possible. The tread remained clear as indicated and I felt I had a good grip, even on some very rough, icy alleyways.
Weight
When comparing the Ice Racer tires to other standard 29×2.0 studded tires, the Ice Racer, their heaviest winter tire, only weighed roughly 100 grams more.
Durability
I was also concerned about zippers breaking or rusting due to salt. reTyre utilizes double-stitched, adhesive-infused thread, nylon zippers, and stainless steel for the zipper mechanism to avoid rusting. They indicate that due to centrifugal force, the zipper area stays clean. When testing the Ice Racers, even when riding through muddy slush the day after a storm, I found that the zipper area remained clean. reTyre suggests removing the skins once or twice a month to clean them.
If you are switching these throughout winter, I don’t foresee this being an extra task as one would likely be swapping slicks and studs regularly. The stitching and zipper appear to be well-constructed and sturdy.
What Could Be Better
Skin Width
One aspect about the reTyre system that could use improvement is sizing. They offer 26” and 29” sizes but for 700 (28”), the tire is bigger than most people’s bicycles can accommodate. The reTyre One was a 700×40 skin with a final size of 700×47 with the studded skin attached. This tire fits my Salsa Warbird (which states it only fits up to a 700×45) but many do not ride a bike whose chainstays or front fork would accommodate a tire of this size. Creating a smaller reTyre One, like a 700×28, with a final size with skin on of 700×35 would better accommodate more varieties of bikes.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed reTyre’s Ice Racer skin. I found them easy to use, convenient, and would continue to use them on my winter bike. It performed well for winter cycling and appears to be an ingenious solution for the winter commuter who must navigate continually changing road conditions. I’m interested to see how the zippers hold up in the long haul. I have different bikes for mountain biking and gravel riding and, therefore, wouldn’t use the other skins.
For winter commuting, the reTyre Ice Racer and Modular Tire System provides added convenience and problem-solving with minimal effort on the part of the cyclist.
