73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
86/100
9 professional tests
User signal (40%)
68/100
80 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Weather Control A005 vs Riken Snowtime B2 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
78/100
6 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Riken Snowtime B2 — better snow and treadwear. Pick the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 if wet, handling and dry matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Weather Control A005 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 78 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Weather Control A005 leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 67 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Snowtime B2 leads by 36
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 60 | 95 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 100 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 88 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Snowtime B2 leads by 34
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 53 | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Weather Control A005 leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | Weather Control A005 | Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 55 |
| DriverReviews owners | 88 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Weather Control A005 | Riken Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 78 |
| Dry | 86 | 78 |
| Wet | 85 | 67 |
| Snow | 59 | 95 |
| Comfort | 88 | 88 |
| Noise | 78 | – |
| Treadwear | 53 | 87 |
| Handling | 72 | 55 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
73
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Weather Control A005 is widely praised for its exceptional wet-weather grip and confident handling in temperate, rainy climates. However, user consensus is heavily polarized by significant reports of premature tread wear, durability issues such as rubber peeling or 'shards' detaching, and inconsistent performance in deep snow or icy conditions.
Pros
- Class-leading wet weather grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Strong dry road handling and steering precision
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels when new
- Effective performance in cold, damp, and light winter conditions
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing before 15,000 miles
- Structural durability issues including rubber peeling, cracking, and 'sawtoothing'
- Poor performance in heavy snow and ice compared to dedicated winter tires
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
Observations
- Users with higher-powered or heavier vehicles (e.g., BMW M140, C350) frequently report difficulty maintaining traction and accelerated wear.
- Drivers using XL (Extra Load) rated tires often report a harsh, 'bone-shaking' ride quality on uneven surfaces.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance is better suited to lighter, lower-powered vehicles rather than performance-oriented or heavy-duty models.
The Riken Snowtime B2 is widely regarded as a competent budget-friendly winter tire that offers surprising value, particularly regarding noise levels and tread longevity. While it provides reliable traction in snow and standing water, users note that its handling limits in dry and wet conditions are lower than premium summer tires, requiring a more cautious driving style.
Pros
- Impressive noise suppression compared to both premium and budget competitors
- Strong snow and slush traction for the price point
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
- Noticeable improvements in fuel economy for some users
Cons
- Lower handling limits in dry and wet conditions compared to summer tires
- Potential for sudden loss of grip if pushed too hard in corners
- Increased stopping distances compared to high-performance summer rubber
Observations
- Users noted that downsizing to 16-inch wheels contributed to a cumulative improvement in ride comfort and noise reduction.
- Handling characteristics were significantly influenced by vehicle suspension health, with one user noting that perceived tire instability was actually resolved by replacing rear shocks.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Weather Control A005 | B · Riken Snowtime B2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Bridgestone
78
/ 100
Riken
Winner: Riken Snowtime B2 — better snow and treadwear. Pick the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 if wet, handling and dry matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Riken Snowtime B2 scores 95 vs 59 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Riken Snowtime B2 scores 87 vs 53 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Weather Control A005 scores 85 vs 67 on wet.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Bridgestone Weather Control A005 scores 72 vs 55 on handling.
Tire A · Bridgestone Weather Control A005
Tire B · Riken Snowtime B2
More comparisons
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Bridgestone Weather Control A005 also compared with
Riken Snowtime B2 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.