Winter Tires - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Prototype · 12-12-2008, 08:25 AM

I'm driving out to Kamloops in 2 weeks, and there's no way I trust the tires I have on my SUV to do me any good through the mountains. I've priced out some tires already, but I'm amazed at the price.

I also know that there's a tire shortage due to a new law in Quebec that made it manditory to have winter tires on vehicles in the province during the snow season.

Here's the thing for me, I live in Coventry, work at SAIT. I need something close to either that I can drop my vehicle off.

I need to save some money. The one quote I got was for around $1,100, for four tires and a re-alignment.

I don't know anything about tires, so whatever I get, I want quality at a lower price.

Are there any suggestions in CP land on tire shops, and brands of tires I should be looking for? And has anyone heard of Nokian? I thought they made phones... just kidding. But I've never heard of them, and I'm slightly skeptical.

Any help would be appreciated.

Top Shelf · 12-12-2008, 08:30 AM

Bob Blakeborough
Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Inc.
Bay #6, 1303 44th ave NE
Calgary Alberta, T2E6L5
888.769.1772 Toll Free
403.769.1771 tel
403.769.1773 fax
bob@urbanexp.ca

Excellent prices, great customer service and highly recommended around town.

I got Kumho 21's put on. I believe he also carries the Toyo brand and probably a few others.

For the tires, rims, installation, balancing and taxes, I paid 780.

fredr123 · 12-12-2008, 08:30 AM

ken0042 · 12-12-2008, 08:38 AM

I agree, time for a new Winter Tire Thread.

Myself, I am leaning towards the Nordic tires. Seems to be well liked, and the price is decent. I'm holding out for boxing week- my all seasons are new and have been fine in this snow. But I do have my new rims bought from Pick-aPart and waiting for winter tires.

Ironhorse · 12-12-2008, 08:40 AM

You don't usually need an alignment when getting winter tires, unless your current alignment is actually already buggered.

loob job · 12-12-2008, 08:41 AM

I just bought 17 inchers and paid 950 (including tax). I got good one's too.

Eagle Eye · 12-12-2008, 08:42 AM

I bought the Nokian WR2's for our Mazda 3, and it was amazing the difference they made over the last snow storm we had. I swear the tires I had on before wouldnt have even made it out of my driveway.

I paid $1000 for 4 205/50R/17 tires at Kal-tire

GreenTeaFrapp · 12-12-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Myself, I am leaning towards the Nordic tires. Seems to be well liked, and the price is decent. I'm holding out for boxing week- my all seasons are new and have been fine in this snow. But I do have my new rims bought from Pick-aPart and waiting for winter tires.

I had Nordics last year and they were fine.

This year I got General Altimax Arctics which are a rebranded version of the well thought of Gislave Nordfrosts. They can also be studded, which I'm not sure if it's allowed in Alberta, but it isn't in Ontario. I got a great deal on them from the US but they are available at a reasonable price at Crappy Tire.

Nancy · 12-12-2008, 08:51 AM

Forget it... there are no winter tires left in the city. I called a few places yesterday and they just laughed at me. (Looking for 235-65-16 or 225-70-16 or 215-70-16)

Claeren · 12-12-2008, 09:04 AM

www.tiretrends.ca (Canada)
www.1010tires.com (Canada)
www.tirerack.com (USA)

Claeren.

GreenTeaFrapp · 12-12-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

Forget it... there are no winter tires left in the city. I called a few places yesterday and they just laughed at me. (Looking for 235-65-16 or 225-70-16 or 215-70-16)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...t=All&x=50&y=7

OR

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...t=All&x=64&y=7

Prototype · 12-12-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

Forget it... there are no winter tires left in the city. I called a few places yesterday and they just laughed at me. (Looking for 235-65-16 or 225-70-16 or 215-70-16)

I called both Kal Tire (North Hill) and Canadian Tire (Country Hills) and they had stock. Not sure on those specific tires, but for my SUV, I'd have them done right away.

loob job · 12-12-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

I bought the Nokian WR2's for our Mazda 3, and it was amazing the difference they made over the last snow storm we had. I swear the tires I had on before wouldnt have even made it out of my driveway.

I paid $1000 for 4 205/50R/17 tires at Kal-tire

Mine were for a Mazda 3 as well. The tires i had on there definitely wouldn't have made it out of the driveway and they only have 30k on them.

Dan02 · 12-12-2008, 09:10 AM

Got some new tires installled at costco yesterday, almost 200$ cheaper for the same tires then anywhere else i called.

united · 12-12-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Bob Blakeborough
Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Inc.
Bay #6, 1303 44th ave NE
Calgary Alberta, T2E6L5
888.769.1772 Toll Free
403.769.1771 tel
403.769.1773 fax
bob@urbanexp.ca

Excellent prices, great customer service and highly recommended around town.

I agree with this. First time I've purchased winter tires and my dealings with Bob were outstanding and substantially cheaper than anywhere else.

BlackArcher101 · 12-12-2008, 09:19 AM

If you want cheap, then Nokians aren't for you, but they are considered the best. Like others mentioned, most of the good tires are likely to be gone off the shelf now. If you go to a place which has a good distribution network like Kal Tire, they can find the tires elsewhere and get them shipped here. Otherwise I'd recommend the internet, but unfortunately I wouldn't count on them being delivered within 2 weeks being Christmas and all. If you want to find something a bit cheaper, I would give Kumho tires a try. I believe Tire Bob (listed above) carries em, but he's probably extremely busy right now.

What size tire or vehicle are these for Proto?

Here's a good website for a listing on winter tires and customer reviews as well. http://www.1010tires.com/tires.asp

JohnnyFlame · 12-12-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I had Nordics last year and they were fine.

This year I got General Altimax Arctics which are a rebranded version of the well thought of Gislave Nordfrosts. They can also be studded, which I'm not sure if it's allowed in Alberta, but it isn't in Ontario. I got a great deal on them from the US but they are available at a reasonable price at Crappy Tire.

I purchased the Nordics this year and am enjoying the grip very much. What a difference over my all-seasons. Very reasonably priced. Don't know if Crappy Tire has any and I got them on sale but worth checking into.

worth · 12-12-2008, 09:39 AM

My Nokian Hakka R's are unbelievable. I feel as though I can go almost anywhere with them. I can turn sharply and I can mash the breaks and I will hardly skid. They are truly a great feat of engineering.

Prototype · 12-12-2008, 09:47 AM

I called Bob, and he seems like a great guy, good customer service. He doesn't have anything handy, but if I get him my tire size, he'd try and track something down in my price range.

I bought a 2004 Jeep Liberty of CP in April I think. No idea what the tire size is. I'm going to run out to my car on my lunch break and find out.

Here's the thing is that I don't need to get the best, and pay for the best. I drive maybe 45 mins total both ways to and from work. The only reason I would consider buying them is that I have this massive drive to Kamloops.

I also have to buy new regular tires come spring/summer as well, which is why I don't want to drop $1000 right now on Winter alone.

Appreciate all the help so far.

Nancy · 12-12-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prototype

I called both Kal Tire (North Hill) and Canadian Tire (Country Hills) and they had stock. Not sure on those specific tires, but for my SUV, I'd have them done right away.

No, Canadian Tire doesn't have any in my size according to the online stock and I have also visited a store.

I have phoned two other tire places with no luck.

I just got back from Costco South and it is a total stink show there right now. Even if they had my size, it would be next week before they could do them. (Don't try to go shopping there today!)