I'm into winter #5 with a Nokian tire tungsten-carbide studs. I got
mine slightly used for $20, but now that I know how long they last I
would not hesitate to spend the cash on new if needed. They really are
tough. That said, for casual use around town the steel ones might
hold up for a while, but for regular use / commuting I'd say the
carbide ones are the way to go.
The main issue I've seen with just about every home-made studded tire
is that either the things stick out too far, thus actually making
traction on bare pavement worse (so they're only really good for icy
paths and roads that never get bare). Also, since they are screwed /
driven in they tend to eventually fall out, and also usually protrude
through the tire so a liner (often made from an old tire carcass) is
needed to protect the tube. Then the wheel starts to roll like poo
because of the extra weight...
At our shop I always try to chat with those using studded tires so as
to compare experiences. Almost all who started out with homemade studs
eventually switched to factory-made, even if just steel studs. Ottawa
can have some serious winters, so I guess those of us who ride through
them need stuff that really works.
Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca
On 23-Dec-10, at 12:51 PM, Eric Montgomery wrote:
At about $ 12.50 per tire compared to $70-100.00 for carbide. Plus
the fact I am using Kenda 700x38 at pich flat pressure used tires so
if I get one season I am not worried.On Thu, Dec 23, 2010 at 10:14 AM, Sam Haraldson <sam@bozemanbikekitchen.org
wrote: Stainless Steel Studded tires designed by me @ $ 0.25 per stud
installed in
existing tire.
Eric,
Thanks for your chiming in on this issue. I typically recommend against the use of steel studs unless a rider knows they will be riding solely on ice/snow. I've personally found that unless a studded tire has carbide studs they will wear out in as little as one season. What are other people's experience with the longevity of steel vs. carbide?
- Sam
-- Director of Operations Bozeman Bike Kitchen http://bozemanbikekitchen.org