Any experience with TripleTreads and ice?

[Body Roll]

Body Roll wrote:

I guess part of the problem is the artificial performance
categories. The TripleTreds are only in the T and H speed
rated categories depending on size. The "performance" tires
are often start at an H speed-rating up to V/Z/W speed-ratings
for larger sizes. There's a slight amount of overlap where
the TripleTred might come in the same speed-rating as
"high performance" radials of the same size.

I find little correlation with the speed rating and performance
of a tire. Without turbo anything above H seems fine.
Even Q is fine as long as there is an understanding that
there should be no triple digit driving on those dedicated
Q-rated winter tires.
It looks like TripleTreds are a fine example of a manufacturer
trying to kick below its weight and get people to buy
a high performance tire as a "passenger" tire.
Probably a lot of people are in denial about what
tire they really have a use for and intentional misplacement
is served to get people what they need vs. what they want.
I could not otherwise explain why would people like
TripleTred better than RE92. RE92 is sold as a high perf all season
tire. If TripleTred was a "passenger" tire it would've sucked
compared to 92s. But according to the responses TripleTred
offers better traction. Therefore either RE92 is a passenger
or highway tire or TripleTred is a high performance tire.

Having said that I should say that wet and snow grip on RE92s
is appropriate for the HP A/S category. I just have no explanation
for the combination of low dry grip, low tread life and high price.
I guess from the Subaru perspective its a safety equipment compared
to the tires in the passenger category that they otherwise would've
put on their low and mid end cars.

I've also noticed the trend that the review numbers tend to
go down as more owners of the tire have lived with them
and given their input. I recall the reviews of the Conti
ExtremeContact were absolutely glowing for a year after
they came out, but the ratings started to fall as more owners
wrote reviews. I was originally sold on the Pirelli P Zero Nero
M+S, but have been disappointed after the inner shoulders
wore down prematurely. It was a great tire in the dry and
wet, but I didn't think it was that capable a snow tire. It's
probably the least siped all-season tire I've ever seen.

Yep. I've heard the all season rating for PZero nero is a joke.
How was the dry/wet grip compared to 960s?

I still haven't gotten down to trying out the RE960AS in the
snow. I was going to head for the Sierras today, but a cold
has forced me to stay home until I feel better.

I had a set of RE 950s which I think were a precursor
of 960s and they absolutely rocked in dry and wet.
First set of decent tires in my life. On tirerack some reviewers claim
that 960s
are a step up from 950, so it would be nice to know if they are usable
on snow.
(I don't like my Outback zerospot enough to buy dedicated winter and
summer sets.
I guess that's how urban legends are born that people buy Subarus to be
able
to use sucky tires). Please keep us posted. Thanks.

 

[j]

I could not otherwise explain why would people like
TripleTred better than RE92. RE92 is sold as a high perf all season
tire. If TripleTred was a "passenger" tire it would've sucked
compared to 92s. But according to the responses TripleTred
offers better traction. Therefore either RE92 is a passenger
or highway tire or TripleTred is a high performance tire.

Having said that I should say that wet and snow grip on RE92s
is appropriate for the HP A/S category. I just have no explanation

There's only so much to be gleaned from ratings and technical specs.
Without having tried each tire it's hard to say what they are truly
capable of, or not.

I would say that the RE92's were a good tire, BUT only when it was dry.
They weren't bad when it was wet. They were garbage in snow/ice. I
certainly would NOT want to rely on another set of RE92's throughout
the year as my one set of tires.

I would literally lose traction completely with the RE92's, in the most
minute amount of slush, to the point where the engine would rev as a
result of my wheels spinning. WTF? I'm sorry, but to me that's
unacceptable.

I don't race, but I do drive a little fast, and I do like to have a
little fun with my non-turbo Baja when I hit the curves at the bottom
of Parley's Canyon (outside SLC). What *I* was looking for is a tire
that could be something for every condition, which is exactly what *I*
feel *I* got with the TT's. They handle AT LEAST as well as the RE92's
did in the dry and wet, and then take it a step further by nicely
complimenting the Subaru AWD in the snow/slush/ice/crud.

That is why *I* like the TripleTred better than the RE92. Bridgestone
can call the RE92 whatever the hell they want, but it wouldn't
necessarily make it so.