I've been looking at the various options for a set of snow chains, with easy fitting being a major criteria. I was thinking about either a Weissenfels Quattro M90 F30 or a Thule K23. Both at the expensive end but neither really screaming "this is the one".

 

I'd looked at Spikes-Spiders Compact C3's but didn't like the idea of installing ugly hub mounting plates. At all. Reject.

 

Then I came across the newer Easy Sport which eliminates the mounting plates in favour of two wheel bolt mounted studs, which looks a far more elegant solution. Also, they're adjustable so they don't become redundant with a change of car.  

 

The downside is they're £300. But having said that, it's an introductory price and they're more expensive direct from the Swiss manufacturer and other European dealers. 

 

With Roof Box offering to exchange used Easy Sports for any other brand of ladder track chain that they sell, including Thule K-Summits, I'm tempted.

 

Does anyone happen to have any experience of the Easy Sports or other Spikes-Spiders?

I have these:

 

https://snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/Weissenfels+Clack+and+Go/

 

Not had to use them yet but they seemed like a good balance between ease of application and price.

Those spikes spiders look awesome though.

 

The thing you want to do is spend loads of time in the snow putting chains on, so a 30 second application sounds appealing. I guarantee that if you were freezing cold struggling with snowchains you'll wish you spent the extra money...

 

That being said I doubt you're going to need them.

Those spikes spiders look awesome though.

 

The thing you want to do is spend loads of time in the snow putting chains on, so a 30 second application sounds appealing. I guarantee that if you were freezing cold struggling with snowchains you'll wish you spent the extra money...

 

That being said I doubt you're going to need them.

 

You're right, fast and easy application is essential and the Spikes-Spiders seem to be well designed in this respect. 

 

I hope I'm not going to need them, but I almost certainly will as I live up a steep track at an altitude of nearly 900' and my drive to work takes me up to 1400'. Winter tyres are a no brainer. Snow chains are for added peace of mind, and might just get me over the mountain, up the track and home in a snow storm.  

I've finally made a decision, and it's a rather unexpected one. 

 

Whilst Spikes-Spiders have had some good reviews, they've also had some bad ones, e.g. a 2010 autobild.de review says: "Poor driving characteristics. Rating: Poor." Enough of a nudge to look elsewhere.

 

I also realised that whilst easy application is highly important, so is getting up steep hills without breaking a chain under the increased pressure.  

 

The Ottinger brand generally scores highly under test conditions, including in a more recent autobild.de review in which it placed third of nine, behind Pewag Snox Pros. As the QS-Spur model is purportedly designed "for driving on intense gradient roads in the mountains", I figure they tick the right boxes. 

 

And at pennies under £100 from aubu.de there's a healthy saving of £200 to be had on the Spikes-Spiders.

 

Purchasing from the German site was fairly straightforward with the aid of an online translator, and their after sales performance has been good so far. I'll comment further when I've received the chains.

The Ottinger QS-Spurs arrived today, just 6 days after placing the order. Complete with instructions in English and several other languages, and with a pair of elbow-length waterproof gloves thrown in for good measure.

 

They look good and if application proves to be simple enough they could be a good deal at the current 20% discount from aubu.de. 

Nice one!