On Ebay has anyone used them and are they any good.
BTW how do you do that clever link. i.e. seen "these" and clicking on "these" is the link, I can't work out how to do it
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Kel, there's been quite a lot of discussion about these and the consensus is they're not very good, and are not accepted by the police as an alternative to chains in all cases. However, you can buy a perfectly OK pair of chains for that sort of money from a French supermarket on your drive down. You need to go in armed with your tyre size, and then practice putting them on in the supermarket carpark.
Alternatively, you can sometimes buy on "sale or return" so that if you don't have to use them (which is perfectly possible) you can get a proportion of your money back - Filarinski ski shop in Havant do that, and no doubt others too. Though you will probably actually spend less in a French supermarket, and have the opportunity to practice, which is invaluable. If you haven't done it before you will (rightly) dread stopping to try to do it in a mucky snowy laybye in the freezing cold, and risk leaving it too late. You'll need something to kneel on and a big plastic bag to put them in when you take them off. A head torch would no doubt be invaluable if you have to do it in the dark but it's not essential if you have practiced and know what you're doing.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
you can buy regular chains cheaper than that if you do not have unusual large wheels.or you could hire them for a similer amount
Thanks for that, it's pretty much what I thought when I looked at them. Theres this place http://www.snowchains.co.uk/index.htm Just off the M20 and I'm down there next week, he said he could sort me out with some used chains for my Mondeo 205 55 16 for £35, as long as they are still in good nick, I think these would be a better buy.
Never gave the legalities a second thought though, just presumed as I am sure most would that they would be acceptable.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Kel, Check which link size you are being offered for that price. The cheap supermarket ones are usually 9mm and will work fine if you don't need to go up anything too steep.
Kel, when I've had dealings with that company I've found them excellent, so I think you could happily get a second hand pair - very good idea in fact. You might get a better quality than spending the same amount in a supermarket on new chains. There are chains and chains and generally you get what you pay for. The more expensive ones are stronger and will last longer - not too big a deal for you, maybe. But they can also be much easier to put on. Which is important. You never know, the nice people at snowchains.co.uk might even give you an on the spot demo of how to put them on!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
pam w,
Yes they seemed very nice,when I called them. Think a demo might be appropriate.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Kel, like everything else, it's much easier if someone shows you, than trying to look up the instructions. It's one of those jobs that seems easy when you know how but can be pretty impenetrable when you don't, especially when your fingers are getting frostbite, your new ski jacket has mud up to the elbows and one of the ends has disappeared round the back of the wheel and wrapped itself tightly round something you can't see.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Kel, it's also possible to rent them. Although, it may be cost the same or less to buy a cheap pair. However, it might be that those you rent might be easier to fit.
Kel wrote:
BTW how do you do that clever link. i.e. seen "these" and clicking on "these" is the link, I can't work out how to do it
If you "reply with quote (press the button on the right hand side not the one in my post) I think you'll see how I've change the link from looking like this http://snowheads.com/ to looking like this. I'll try to explain but I'm not sure if I can put square brackets in a post without messing things up.
Using the editor with the buttons at the top I:
* paste in my link
* select it
* press the URL button (this puts code around both ends)
* then I replace the "close square bracket" that is between url and my link with an equals sign. So it looks like url=http
* at the end of the link I put in a "close square bracket" like the one I deleted above
* and then following that square bracket just inserted I put in "this" (or whatever you want )
I think it'll be easier to view the code by replying with quote. It's easier than I've made it sound
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Kel, I use them for short trips on my small 4x4. You need proper chains for serious snow conditions, but the socks are handy (very quick to put on) if you need to 'pop down to the shops/lifts' once in the resort.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
peura, thanks,but I'm afraid my wheels just have to fend for themselves; I can't see myself fiddling around deciding where to fit a load of spacers. Once the chains are on, which I can usually do in just a few minutes, I'm back in the car pronto.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
pam w, I agree with you about the wheels but I thought it might be of interest to those who don't share our viewpoint . Although, I'm not sure it would be a great deal more fiddle than the chains themselves.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
peura, I have a new pair of easy-tension and easy-off chains (at least, new last season) and they're great. A few minutes, and they're on, which means I jump out and put them on at the first sight of trouble. The cheap and nasty ones are a real bore. OH and I take a wheel each, and have a race. Which I always win - then kindly go and "help" with his.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
........................and unless I've really screwed up - remember to put them on the driving wheels.
Still can't believe the UK registered Renault Espace who were happily putting them on the back wheels and then wondering why they couldn't get out the car park
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Never hurts to pray to them either
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Boris, I will always remember the Dutch registered Espace with 'socks' on it's front tyres sliding gently down into the wall of the car park in Val Thorens watched by two bemused French Policeman.
How they had been allowed up to VT that week without chains was a mystery.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Boredsurfing, they'd probably just sobered up from the Tour in the summer
pam w, I know you don't find them difficult (nor to I). So I suspect it wouldn't take much longer to insert the protectors (not that I care enough about my car to bother). For those who find chains a challenge I suspect they'd have great difficulty.
Is the case that if you rent chains rather than buy cheap one although it costs the same you get easier to fit chains? Which might have advantages.
Boris, wonder if they thought it was RWD?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
pam w,
Quote:
I have a new pair of easy-tension and easy-off chains (at least, new last season) and they're great. A few minutes, and they're on, which means I jump out and put them on at the first sight of trouble. The cheap and nasty ones are a real bore. OH and I take a wheel each, and have a race. Which I always win - then kindly go and "help" with his.
Are your new ones RUD Compact Easy to Go chains? I've just bought a pair of them ready for my trip to France in December. They don't need manual re-tensioning once you've driven a few yards like the other ones do (apparently-this may be a sales blag, haven't used chains before so I don't know ) According to the video the woman in it manages to sort them out in like 30 seconds! I will practice with mine on the drive here though sometime before I go so I know what's what. Must say they are pretty heavy in the carrying case-a lot heavier than I thought they would be.
They are a bit more expensive than most but thought I would get some and be done with it as I plan to drive to France and back lots over the next few seasons, so I should get the use out of them. Some chains I had seen were £165 worth! I wouldn't pay that much that's for sure. I'm sure £50 worth is adequate without them being too cheap so they don't last 5 minutes. Don't know if cheap ones are just as good as mid range ones or not.
Are your new ones RUD Compact Easy to Go chains? I've just bought a pair of them ready for my trip to France in December. They don't need manual re-tensioning once you've driven a few yards like the other ones do (apparently-this may be a sales blag, haven't used chains before so I don't know Very Happy ) According to the video the woman in it manages to sort them out in like 30 seconds!
I'm sorry to say there are similar to the ones I have and after using them for 3 winters it will take you longer then 30 seconds!!!
A good tip is to have a small screwdriver or toothpick handy because as you slide the chains behind the wheel you will get snow in the fastener which then freezes and the problems really start. Its amazing how tangled they get as well!! Its a good idea to practice with them and make sure you know which colour goes where first!!
The trouble with them is that usually have to put them on when it is snowing and you parked in deep snow.
Nigel
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
The auto-tensioning ones are very good and pretty easy to put on - while they may cost a bit more they are worth it IMHO.
Worth putting them on a couple of times on a sunny afternoon before you go - you do not want to be reading instructions and swearing with a car full of tired and hungry kids, in the dark, in the snow, in freezing conditions.
Been there - done that.
Would also recommend:
Gloves - cheap washing up ones great, keeps the worst of cold off and can still use fingers
Old rug to pray errr I mean kneel on
Head torch - keeps both hands free
Small snack or sweets to keep the kids happy
Wife to make sarcastic comments and take piccies - optional
After all it is free
After all it is free
djfletcher,
Quote:
I'm sorry to say there are similar to the ones I have and after using them for 3 winters it will take you longer then 30 seconds!!!
Yeah I guessed that in reality it would take longer! Thing is, the video shows the woman putting them on in about that time, well maybe a bit longer, but then she probably rehearsed doing it about 30 times before she did the RUD advertisment video! Also she is putting them on whilst on a flat snowless suface. In broad daylight.
Quote:
A good tip is to have a small screwdriver or toothpick handy because as you slide the chains behind the wheel you will get snow in the fastener which then freezes and the problems really start. Its amazing how tangled they get as well!! Its a good idea to practice with them and make sure you know which colour goes where first!!
The trouble with them is that usually have to put them on when it is snowing and you parked in deep snow.
Good idea. Can they be put on further down the mountain road before the snow gets too heavy? I appreciate you have to drive more slowly with the chains on. When is the "right" time to get out of the car and put them on if they are difficult to put on in heavy snow but also are not ideal to use in light snow?
I'm hoping my new winter tyres I've just had put on (GT Radial Champiro WT) will get me up the hill only using snow chains if absolutely necessary.
Boris, I will be driving up to Tignes on my own so I don't need to worry about having a wife with me to make sarcastic comments-or a husband for that matter
I've made sure my ascent is in the morning anyway, hopefully the snowplough will have cleared the main road up by then anyway which will make it a lot easier and safer than driving up in the dark. The headtorch is a good idea though.
Last edited by After all it is free on Mon 8-09-08 21:07; edited 1 time in total
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
VolklAttivaS5, if you look to the left of the picture I posted above, you will see the road was pretty much clear at that point. Most snowchains are ok to drive on in light or no snow - but keep the speed right down - below 10.
A matter of heated debate here, but I think I would have been ok without chains with full winter tyres on. But with all-season it was slippy on the hairpins and many people without chains has slid off the road
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Hi,
If you have winter tyres you should be OK in most snow- but the chains are useful if the snow gets really deep hopefully you want have to use them!! We have just used ours when our car with snow tyres couldn't make it up the road!! or thick ice were you just slid down!!
Nigel
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
ok
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Mon 8-09-08 20:57; edited 1 time in total
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
OK, just been out in the junk-strewn garage and dug out the box from the snowchains (not that they're in there, they're in a big black poly bag). They are "Konig Super Magic" chains, bought in albertville for around 85 euros, IIRC. They take me more than 30 secs to put on, because it pays to really check that they're not tangled, and to use a small kid's beach spade (should be part of the kit) to clear the slush/mud out from beind the wheel, first. Once I start pushing the end behind the wheel - yes, I can sometimes do it in 30 secs, sure. But there are quite a few things which can go wrong, and in that case I generally pull them out and start over again! It's well worth practising, and having the items mentioned above, though I usually don't bother with rubber gloves, just try to do it FAST before fingers freeze, and then use a baby wipe to get the worst of the mud and grease off. I like having a soft bad to kneel (pray) on; we have a big chunk of expanded polystyrene which does the job, in the emergency box along with a wind up torch, tow ropes, jump leads, emergency triangle, and other essentials. I have been putting on snowchains for 6 winters now - and well remember my first drive up to Les Gets in a rented car, and a vast amount of snow, hoping for the best because neither my sister nor I had the slightest clue how to put on snowchains, and the Ford Escort we had hired proved brilliant in the snow. We just made it, but it wasn't too clever, and I now put chains on sooner rather than later, every time. We have four snowtyres, but you can feel when you're losing traction.
Actually, in a masochistic sort of way, I enjoy having to get out and put the chains on because IT MEANS IT'S SNOWING. The excitement gets me every time.
Needless to say we never go anywhere in the winter in the Alps, however benign the weather seems, without warm stuff, shovel, and all the gear including chains, water and plenty of chocolate. And we keep the fuel topped up, so that spending a night in a snowdrift (using the shovel to keep the exhause clear )would not be too uncomfortable. The weather can change frighteningly quickly.
Normally all this stuff just sits there, taking up valuable space. But........
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Oh - I suspect the chains you rent from car rental companies in Geneva are the bargain-basement type. We helped an English family sort out how to put them on last year, and they were not great. But they'll do the job - just one more reason to practice. I always practice in my drive in Hampshire before setting off for the mountains in the winter; it's part of the ritual.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
We;ve never had to use our chains, but i wil remember the kids spade just in case, we found one in the garden last week when we were clearing some shrubs
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Helen Beaumont, they're just the thing for small-scale clearance! With a 4 x 4 you'll probably get away with it; our Fiat is not fantastic in the snow.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Boris,
Quote:
VolklAttivaS5, if you look to the left of the picture I posted above, you will see the road was pretty much clear at that point. Most snowchains are ok to drive on in light or no snow - but keep the speed right down - below 10.
Oh yeah. Looks like you had chosen just the right time to put the snow chains on. Doesn't matter if I have to keep to 10 mph, I'll be going careful up there anyway. What do you do if you are drving with your chains on at that speed and some git with winter tyres is driving right up your ar*e? Pull over and let them pass or what? That's the last thing I need putting me off when I'm driving up in snow for the first time.
Quote:
A matter of heated debate here, but I think I would have been ok without chains with full winter tyres on. But with all-season it was slippy on the hairpins and many people without chains has slid off the road
Yeah I have heard lots of people on here saying they use winter tyres and then the snowchains come out if it's really bad snow. Re the hairpins that's why I'm going up in the daylight, I wouldn't fancy trying it at night having not done it before.
Must say-my winter tyres I had put on the other week because my other ordinary UK tyres needed replacing now. I don't use my car a lot so no worries about the winter tyres wearing out too quickly, it seemed more sensible to put them on for the winter season now than buy another set of UK tyres only to take them off and store them in a couple of months time, plus the extra cost now etc etc.
These winter tyres are brilliant considering all this rain we've had lately-I had to stop the other day for a cyclist just crossing wherever without notice and the car stopped loads quicker than my old set so it seemed with no skidding, they're really grippy so I reckon they should work a treat in the mountains. Got the same ones Spyderman got for his car and he only had to use chains for the very last bit of the road.
pam w, lots of very useful stuff there, thank you very much. I decided I would definitely get petrol before starting up the road, take blanket, warm stuff outside of my snow/kit bag, water, snacks, mat to kneel on to sort the chains, headtorch if need be, thin pair of gloves, plus the emergency euro kit thing with the reflective vest, warning triangle in it etc etc. Mobile phone charged up all of that. Good idea to have something to get all the mud and snow cr*p from behind the wheel before attempting to put the snow chains on.
You are right about the weather changing in the blink of an eye and bet some people have got caught out running out of petrol in the queues up on a Saturday sometimes!
Shows how the chains I have work - the others go on in the same sort of way, but I find the cheaper sort can require more strength than I can muster to do up in the first place, and then invariably need you to stop and re-tension them - or at least inspect them, often in a slightly hazardous spot. The easy-off mechanism can sometimes stick - it can then be removed manually but is more hassle. You need to be aware of the structure of the chains so that you stop with the link, at the back, at the top of the tyre. For some reason, even when you mount them both together, they can move around. So you get one off, then have to move the car a half revolution or something, to get the other one at the top. There's no end of buggeration factors with chains.
you can drive up to about 25 - 30mph with chains. The thing about a full tank of petrol is that you can then keep your heater running all night, if necessary (getting out now and then to ensure exhaust is not snowed in...). And once up in some smaller resorts there's no petrol for miles around.
Most of the time the roads are clear and all this seems a bit OTT and dramatic.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
pam w, that's good to know. I think end November it will be very early season anyway, and although they can get a lot of snow first week of December in Espace Killy like last year, I'm sure the roads will be completely clear by time I'm on the approach to Tignes at about 8.30-9.00 in the morning. By the way, do you (or anyone else) know how long approximately it takes to get to Tignes itself from starting the road from the bottom of the mountain?
I went to Val Thorens ages ago now and that mountain journey up round and round and round seemed to take absolutely forever. Although in VT the resort itself is at 2300m anyway so I suppose it would do.
From Seez, I suppose about 30 -40 mins - I've not timed it. I've only driven up there three or four times, and usually to Val D'isere, to visit my son when he was working up there. viamichelin.com could tell you if you really want to know. It's not really steep - just climbs steadily. If you have heavy snow up that road at the end of November, rejoice! It can be a pretty bleak and unfriendly road - high, rocky, scars of rock slides and avalanches, trees broken like match sticks. Not exactly pretty. Not one of my favourite drives, but no problems in normal conditions. You'll be fine.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
pam w, thanks. That's not too long then, if it's less than an hour. Can't wait what with it being a novelty being first time I've driven and I don't mind about the ugly scenery at all because when I'm seeing that, that means I'm close by to getting in my bed! I'm not skiing the first afternoon as I'll be knackered from the drive, I'm going to bed and getting up in time for afternoon tea and for the rest of them arrive from their 4 hour at least transfer by coach. I'll be bushy tailed by then and rejoicing at the snow outside my window if it's anything like first week of December last year.
For some reason, even when you mount them both together, they can move around. So you get one off, then have to move the car a half revolution or something, to get the other one at the top.
They may not have moved around. I may be stating the obvious here but the tyres don't travel the same distance along the roads when going round bends. I suspect that if you took put both valves at the top of the tyre and drove a few miles that they could be half a revolution out.
If you like "Which?"-type reviews (and read German) this "Snow chain test" might be worth a look.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
pam w wrote:
Actually, in a masochistic sort of way, I enjoy having to get out and put the chains on
After all it is free
After all it is free
VolklAttivaS5 wrote:
Doesn't matter if I have to keep to 10 mph, I'll be going careful up there anyway. What do you do if you are drving with your chains on at that speed and some git with winter tyres is driving right up your ar*e? Pull over and let them pass or what? That's the last thing I need putting me off when I'm driving up in snow for the first time.
Probably best to let them pass where possible but only pull over where you know you will get out again. People with summer tyres and chains often hold up the rest of the traffic who are on winter tyres without chains.
In Austria almost all the road must be covered with ice or snow for snowchains to be allowed. The road surface without ice or snow will wear out the chains and there's a risk of the snow chain snapping (esp at higher speeds withe cheap snowchains) . If you are faced with stretches of snow covered and uncovered road it's best to pull to the side but move slowly so that others can get past. Strictly the chains should be taken off and put back on again. Winter tyres save a lot of this hassle as by the time you need chains on a winter tyre everyone is travelling slowly.
Last edited by After all it is free on Tue 9-09-08 9:34; edited 1 time in total
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Quote:
I suspect the chains you rent from car rental companies in Geneva are the bargain-basement type.
pam w, We had self tensioning ones which were great on our Geneva rental car at Easter and had to use them in La Plagne
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Quote:
if you are drving with your chains on at that speed and some git with winter tyres is driving right up your ar*e? Pull over and let them pass or what?
Don't worry about - they'll overtake whether its safe or not
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
button on the right hand side not the one in my post) I think you'll see how I've change the link from looking like this 
)
might be interested.
) According to the video the woman in it manages to sort them out in like 30 seconds! I will practice with mine on the drive here though sometime before I go so I know what's what. Must say they are pretty heavy in the carrying case-a lot heavier than I thought they would be.
Thing is, the video shows the woman putting them on in about that time, well maybe a bit longer, but then she probably rehearsed doing it about 30 times before she did the RUD advertisment video! Also she is putting them on whilst on a flat snowless suface. In broad daylight.
