Hacker News Reader

Comment by Aurornis | Hacker News Reader

> The Michelin CrossClimate2 tires are arguably the best traction tires,

In their class, but not in general.

They are all-season tires. They don't perform as well as winter tires in the winter, and they don't perform as well as summer tires in the summer.

They're also a terribly mushy tire. They feel like you're floating around on the road and wallowing through the turns. This doesn't matter in the slightest to someone commuting to work in their 15 year old Honda Accord with blown struts, but if you enjoy driving they're on the list of tires to avoid.

Everything is a tradeoff. Some tires do a better job of optimizing within their class, but the Michelin CC2 is assuredly not the best traction tires in general.

View on HN

>They don't perform as well as winter tires in the winter, and

A lot of people don't live in climates where winter tires are even sold; particularly California, Texas, Florida, three of the most populous states. Many people in those states aren't even aware "winter tires" are even a product category. That's like complaining the Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska doesn't carry SPF 50 sunscreen.

Just as a geographic note: You can buy winter tires in California. The Sierra Nevada (snowy mountains) run down a sizable chunk of the state. California has even hosted the winter olympics.

You left the "and" but left out the critical part of my quote: They're not as good as summer-only tires in the summer.

> A lot of people don't live in climates where winter tires are even sold

The CrossClimate 2 tire we're talking about is an all-weather tire with the 3-peak snow designator. If you're trying to call me out for talking about winter tires in comparison to a tire designed for winter weather, I think you don't understand what we're talking about.

> Many people in those states aren't even aware "winter tires" are even a product category

Again, the CrossClimate 2 is a tire with a winter designation. California also has a lot of snowy locations.

> That's like complaining the Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska doesn't carry SPF 50 sunscreen.

Not only do stores in Anchorage carry SPF 50, but you're going to need it in the summer. When the sun is out for 20 hours a day, it adds up.

Not to mention, skiers wear sun screen. The sunlight refracting off the snow can cause sunburns.

You're gonna want SPF 50 in Alaska too.

And also a dedicated set of tires for the winter, that have studs in them.

And Walmart has it in stock in Anchorage. So a moot point.

I’ve not noticed a mushy feeling on my wife’s Mazda CX-9 with CC2s, but tbf it’s an SUV. One of the sportier SUVs around, but still.

For reference, I used to daily a Honda S2000 (not with CC2s, obviously).

> I’ve not noticed a mushy feeling on my wife’s Mazda CX-9 with CC2s, but tbf it’s an SUV. One of the sportier SUVs around, but still.

They are not great in that regard. Casual drivers won't usually care, but anyone who pays attention to handling usually hates them.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com