Composite 'Snow Chains' by Michelin

I am looking to buy some snow chains for my first self-drive :shock: ski trip to France ... just come across the Michelin 'Easy Grip' Composite snow chain.

Sellers claim much quicker to put on (than traditional chains). They also seem to claim that they are "approved" for French mountain use.

Anyone had good/bad/any experience with them?

http://www.viamichelin.fr/web/Reportage?id=eca021798c2c6ee3bad30e396e4593d3

I have a set and they are certainly very easy to put on. An earlier thread on another forum fed back that while they are fine as a rare, one-off backup for winter tyres (e.g. in deep snow or ice) but not as a substitute. We have a 'Winter Tyres' thread running most years, with the usual set of arguments. I'll get my own view in first: given that winter tyres work much better anyway in temperatures below 7ºC (common for some months in the UK if you're a commuting driver), doing an Alpine drive is perhaps the thing that will swing you towards getting a set. Also, chains are hopeless in mixed tarmac and slush/snow conditions - proably a 1-in-4 chance of this happening in a typical drive.

Cue the usual protracted "I've driven to the Alps every year since 1878 and I've never needed them...." / "90% of Alpine drivers are on winter tyres - you won't realise the huge difference 'till you're in the ditch." etc. etc.

The TCS carried out some tests on them a few years ago http://www.tcs.ch/fr/assets/tous-les-tests/pneus/5033_02_infotechTCS_Test-Chaines-Neige-2011_fr.pdf they seem to be OK, good grip on snow, not so good on ice and as you might expect not very durable. The RUD Hybrid looks a better bet if you want something that's easy to put on and will last more than a few km in mixed snow / tarmac conditions.

Thanks Msej449 . Good to hear that they're easy to fit. Yes, I'd read lots of the opposing views on winter tyres - but as 'chains' are not optional, the tyre discussion is somewhat secondary to me at the moment.

SwingBeep, thanks too. Great comparison table. The RUDs do look as easy to fit as the Michelins and more durable...so good recommendation :thumbup: ...but unfortunately they're twice the price for my wheels. :!:

Probably go with the cheaper option - this might be my one & only drive-ski. [half-term; two kids; self catering - :shock: - what could possibly go wrong]

Having lived in the alps last season and doing the shopping run down the mountain I only ever used a set of chains once because the snow tyres on the van were so effective, I was truly amazed the difference they made have driven one of the other vans without winter tyres. So if you have good quality snow tryes you more than likely won't use any chains you buy. I have invested in a all season tyre Goodyear vector 4 which tested as good a snow tyre but doesn't loss the grip or wear at higher temperatures like a snow tyre.

Be careful of terminology M&S, Winter, Snow are three different tyres.

Not certain, but I think Winter tyres are the European norm, although in the UK I fit M&S, and they are very effective on snow, even on steeps.

MattSki_score wrote:......So if you have good quality snow tryes you more than likely won't use any chains you buy.....

....perhaps, but that's 'beside the point' as I still need to buy 'chains' anyway. I'm not going to spend £500+ on winter tyres, only to be stopped from driving into resort because I've not got any chains.

'Chains' compulsory, winter tyres optional according to the French law (as I understand), right?

I agree with other comments on this thread. I have driven with chains and last year bought good quality snow tyres. No compition snow tyres are great to drive on and no fixing snow chains at the side of the road. Also in some countries you must have snow tyres or risk a heavy fine. This law will be I forced in Italy this year.
My advise would be either but a set of snow tyres and have them fitted to your exciting rims or as I did buy a set of metal rIms and have snow tyres fitted to these, then it is easy to change back when not needed.