In my personal experience the real carbide studs last more than twice as long as the steel studs (I'm in to my 3rd winter on the carbide studs and I ride about 60 km/week). Along with a few others from our shop, I prefer tires with a rounded profile and studs only on the outer edges. That way the tire runs on rubber when fully inflated but if it slides the studs catch and save me. If it is really icy then I simply let a little air out so the tires are softer and the studs are continuously in contact with the ground. Chris Wells (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics)
re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op 473 Bronson Ave. Ottawa
Re-Cycles Winter Hours: 6pm-9pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 1pm-5pm Sundays (No DIY on Sundays)
Bike sales and donation drop off also available during Cycle Salvation hours: 9am-5:30pm Tuesday to Friday BUT NO Volunteering or DIY)
info@re-cycles.ca http://www.re-cycles.ca/
----- Original Message ---- From: Sam Haraldson sam@bozemanbikekitchen.org To: The Think Tank thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org Sent: Thu, December 23, 2010 10:14:48 AM Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Winter Cycling Clinic
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