Author Topic: Studded Tyres  (Read 8877 times)

Andybg

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Studded Tyres
« on: December 07, 2012, 02:03:32 PM »

rualexander

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StuntPilot

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2012, 11:03:43 AM »
Been looking at a set of these and SJS has some. Might me cheaper overall depending on postage from Bike Discount in Germany ...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schwalbe-snow-stud-hs268-rigid-tyre-c-w-spikes-26-x-190-inch-(50-559)-prod24449/

I have done some research on the 'interweb' and it seems these are best for all round Winter use where conditions alternate between ice/snow covered and clear. The studs are to the side of the tyre so when fully inflated there is less wear on the studs. Just deflate to minimum pressure in snow and ice conditions and the studs will kick in.

I considered the Schwalbe Marathon Winter Tyre but for UK mixed winter (cold/snow then mild and wet), they may be overkill. More excellent info from Peter White here ...

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Fot full on Winter snow areas then the Ice Spiker would be the one. All Schwalbe Winter tyres from SJS here ...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/winter-tyres-dept207_pg1/#filterkey=brand&brand=SCHWALBE_TYRES&page=1

All studded tyres need to be ridden gently on a smooth road surface for 40 or 50 km to bed in the spikes.

Just read that the 'Beast from the East' is on its way from Siberia so better get a move on order a pair!
« Last Edit: December 10, 2012, 11:25:40 AM by StuntPilot »

Andybg

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2012, 11:29:20 AM »
They look like a good tyre (especially for the price) I was expecting to have to keep changing back and forth between the Ice Spiker and the winter tyres dependant on conditions but I am finding the Ice Spiker is managing all conditions (even clear roads) very capably. I am sure I am shortening its life but if I manage to get a season out of the set of tyres I will definetly have had my monies worth.

Maybe for next year I will have got round to a couple of spare wheelsets to make swapping over more feasible.

Andy

rualexander

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2012, 03:47:34 PM »
Been looking at a set of these and SJS has some. Might me cheaper overall depending on postage from Bike Discount in Germany ...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schwalbe-snow-stud-hs268-rigid-tyre-c-w-spikes-26-x-190-inch-(50-559)-prod24449/

I have done some research on the 'interweb' and it seems these are best for all round Winter use where conditions alternate between ice/snow covered and clear. The studs are to the side of the tyre so when fully inflated there is less wear on the studs. Just deflate to minimum pressure in snow and ice conditions and the studs will kick in.

I considered the Schwalbe Marathon Winter Tyre but for UK mixed winter (cold/snow then mild and wet), they may be overkill. More excellent info from Peter White here ...

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Fot full on Winter snow areas then the Ice Spiker would be the one. All Schwalbe Winter tyres from SJS here ...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/winter-tyres-dept207_pg1/#filterkey=brand&brand=SCHWALBE_TYRES&page=1

All studded tyres need to be ridden gently on a smooth road surface for 40 or 50 km to bed in the spikes.

Just read that the 'Beast from the East' is on its way from Siberia so better get a move on order a pair!

I wouldn't use Schwalbe Snow Stud tyres on the front wheel, you really want some studs near the centreline for the front wheel for steering and braking control. Outer edge studs are only really necessary for rutted hard snow/ice. I've managed fine for the past 4 Scottish winters with Nokian Hakkapelitta 106 on the front which only has centreline studs.
I have used Schwalbe Snow Stud on the rear wheel though, run at a medium pressure they give good grip most of the time on snow and ice. It's too much hassle in cold and snowy conditions to be lowering and raising your tyre pressures to suit conditions.

A good option for some might be the budget version of the Marathon Winter without the outer edge studs, only ?17 from Germany http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1040/a84964/winter-100-spikes-26-x-175-wire.html
Postage from Bike Discount.de to UK is around ?6 I think.

Danneaux

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2012, 07:06:21 PM »
Quote
...if I manage to get a season out of the set of tyres I will definetly have had my monies worth.
Given I'm er, "careful" with money (aka a "tightwad"), I made search several years ago to see if these tires can be restudded to compensate for stud wear or loss and so extend their life.

Apparently, they can. At least, Schwalbe offer replacement studs here: http://www.schwalbetires.com/accessories/studs

I have not looked at the tools Schwalbe offer to accomplish this, but I have replaced some studs in a car tire for a friend. It is entirely possible with dishwashing liquid and some needle-nose pliers, especially if they're of the locking/vise- or mole-grip variety and you don't mind pushing till you get little clots in your fingertips. I know this firsthand.  ;) After doing that, I got the bright idea to drill a hole in a solid rod and use that as a handle. Much better. Some tires are more accepting if inflated, others if deflated and pinched to open up the wells that hold the studs. Some people use a slotted screwdriver, others use a hollow punch. All methods pose some hazard to the tires if you "miss" when putting your entire body weight into the task. The drilled rod is probably best, but my career as a stud-setter came to an end when my friend sold his car. Dishsoap-and-water help. This is also a good time to make sure cameras are safely stowed away if you have an assistant or onlookers, as they *will* be compelled to document the ensuing tire carnage, which sometimes also involves fingers.  ::) Fun for all, oh joy.

Unfortunately, there's a potential snag in restudding Schwalbe tires -- cost. When I looked at the price of replacement studs a few years ago, they were about USD$12/dozen. Now, Schwalbe has them on offer at the staggering price of USD$18.85 *apiece*. :o It's not a misprint, either. I tried adding multiples to the shopping cart and they do indeed add up at that price. There's hope: Schwabe have been known to send replacements for free if asked nicely.

It does indeed seem Continental and Nokian studded tires are both made in Lieksa, Finland, so the odds of different factories there each making studded bike tires seems unlikely. I've independently verified the studs are virtually identical, differing by only 0.1mm or so, well within production tolerances. For triangulation, see: http://thegoldenwrench.blogspot.com/2010/11/replacement-studs-for-studded-tires.html

The Suomi/Nokian site makes for a fun read: http://www.suomityres.fi/index.html Nokian also make a stud-replacement kit, at least for shoes with the required stud-wells (should fit the bike tires also): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokian-Footwear-Studs-set-89100000/dp/B005JPLHMG Before you go there, no you can't add studs of this type to tires without the required stud-wells. DIY solutions call for either pop-rivets and backing plates as I used back in the day, or wood screws as shown here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI-fR2tXR_8

Related, useful post here on another forum: http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=56322 By the way, more front studs tend to get expelled 'cos of the tangential forces applied in steering and heavier braking due to weight transfer torquing them out of their seats when ridden on dry pavement; surprising to me, as I would have thought expected greater loss due to traction forces at the rear.

Best,

Dan. (...who will kindly spare you all sorts of tagline puns that come so readily to mind)

rualexander

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2012, 07:57:46 PM »
Replacement studs are available for Schwalbe tyres,
?1.62 for a pack of 10 pointed studs for Ice Spiker Pro tyre http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k623/a57962/10-replacement-spikes-for-ice-spiker-pro.html
Same price for a pack of 10 flat studs for other tyres http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k623/a57963/10-replacement-spikes-for-ice-spiker-marathon-winter-snow-stud.html
?8.26 for a pack of 50 flat studs including mounting tool http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k623/a85424/50-spare-spikes-for-all-schwalbe-spire-tires.html
Postage to UK around ?5
Postage to USA around ?17

triaesthete

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2012, 08:31:49 PM »
Andy and Ru,

thanks for bringing these Snow stud tyres to my attention. At about £46.50 delivered from Germany they started to make sense for the occasional icing we get here. I'm normally happy to just slow down on snow and make do with MTB tyres. Then last week we had a sudden hard freeze following very wet and humid conditions. Everywhere without salting was like oiled glass and studs then started to seem very desirable indeed.

I thought the bare centre sections would be a good compromise to enable them to stay on all winter for mixed conditions riding with no more than pressure adjustments on the day. I hope it will also give a deflate to bail out option if I get caught out on the tops in deteriorating conditions. (Even though we have no mountains locally, just big hills, we have a local mountain rescue team!)

Cheers
Ian

PS bigger studs= bigger grip! Ice speedway: indoors  :o  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeMDcP8LN6k

« Last Edit: December 10, 2012, 09:59:51 PM by triaesthete »

Andybg

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2012, 08:09:26 AM »
Thanks for the information about the replcement studs. Certainly worth knowing if you have a few missing studs to replace but definetly not worth it if you need to replace a full set through wear. I will hold judgement till the spring and review milage versus wear to the tyres and report back

Andy

JWestland

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Re: Studded Tyres
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2013, 04:19:11 PM »
Note on that: Studs on mine have worn down quite a bit after 3 months and 250 miles. Only half deep on middle line (which is weight bearing) VS side studs.

A mix of road and ice/snow isn't fantastic, it seems the tarmac wears them down quite fast.

Unfortunately if there's ice here isn't generally patches of black ice on some roads...so you're fine half way and then slip, or are safe but wear your studs.

Lesson for next year: Only run when there a total must. Which still was...my Wednesday slip n slide commute which is 1/2 fine and 1/2 ICEY SUPRISEY and too long to walk parts.

Can't win maybe time for a salt gritter on the bike  ;D
Pedal to the metal! Wind, rain, hills, braking power permitting ;)