DIY ice stud tyres

[Sore Thumb]

Not sure if this the correct forum but seeing it would interest commuters the most I felt it was best here.


Seeing that the ice will be coming soon and most shops seem to be out of stock of stud tyres, I was thinking if I could do it myself with an old pair of MTB tyres.

Been having a search on the web and have come up with a good site below.


http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Bicycle-Tires-Into-Studded-Snow-Tires



Does anyone have any other good sites they could link to, or have you done this yourself and give us some good advice?

Many thanks

 

[e-rider]

I've seen a few pages on this but can't remember the links - but I think the outcome was that it's loads of work for a second-rate ice tyre. You could just spend £60 and buy a pair!

 

[Sore Thumb]

I've seen a few pages on this but can't remember the links - but I think the outcome was that it's loads of work for a second-rate ice tyre. You could just spend £60 and buy a pair!

Thats if you can find a pair to buy.

Better a second rate pair than no pair at all. Might be a evening project on an old pair of MTB tyres. If they are no good then at least I had a go. I might even surprise myself and do a good job.

 

[e-rider]

Thats if you can find a pair to buy.

Better a second rate pair than no pair at all. Might be a evening project on an old pair of MTB tyres. If they are no good then at least I had a go. I might even surprise myself and do a good job.

schwalbe seems to make at least 4 types (snow or ice)

I've noticed that a lot of online retailers are currently out of stock - perhaps the bad weather is on it's way and people have been getting prepared already.

I like the ice spiker pros but at £120 a pair........

 

[mcshroom]

There's a good thread on DIY snow tyres on YACF

I'm halfway through making up some myself to see how they work.

 

[Sore Thumb]

I found a blog thats show you how to do it. However I'm not sure about the blogs name

http://bicycleslut.w...ycle-ice-tyres/



Also found this web site

Not sure what studs you would get for bicycle tyres

http://www.supatracks.com/best-grip-screw-in-ice-studs.html

 

[Flying Dodo]

I'm not sure it's worth all the effort to make your own (plus you're using up a set of tyres).

Last year I bought some of the Marathon studded tyres from Bike24 in Germany for about £65 and put them on a spare set of wheels, ready to be swapped over when needed - probably Friday morning looking at the forecast!

 

[fossyant]

Used my Snow Studs this morning - flying over iced up roads......then did some trail riding via the river bank....

TBH DIY is an awful lot of work.......

 

[Murf]

My advice would be to have a go!

I can only see me using a studded tyre a few times every winter in Eastest Anglia so knocked up a pair last night to go on the winter tank.

I got a box of 200 screws from screwfix. #8 x 1/2" are about right.

I had a pair of MTB tyres lying around. Tyres with a good wide tread pattern for shedding snow and good large knobbly bits are ideal.

Take a battery drill and a 1.5mm drill bit and drill through from the outside in at the outer knobblies. I used 100 per tyre but it depends on your tread. The pics will make it clearer!

Drive the screws in from the inside out.

Line the inside of the tyre with half an inner tube cut to cover all the screw heads. Stick down every now and again with superglue to hold it in place while you fit the tyre/main tube to the rim.

Fit back on the rim with plenty of talc.

Mind your fingers!!

This is how i did it. There are probably lots of methods.

I took it out for a 4mile ride on dry tarmac this morning and it rides well but sounds like 200 hundred puppies on a laminate floor trying to scrabble for grip!! I heard that description on another site but it's very accurate!

The studs may not last very long and stainless steel would be harder wearing but for the amount of use they're going to get i don't see it being a problem. If i use them enough i'll put stainless screws in next year.

Just waiting for the ice.

 

[MrGrumpy]

met someone this morning riding on ice tyres, dunno if its just me but they look useless for anything other than thick ice or snow??!! Not much cope with possible just a hard frost at worst

Seems overkill

 

[Bodhbh]

I've noticed that a lot of online retailers are currently out of stock - perhaps the bad weather is on it's way and people have been getting prepared already.

It took a fair bit of legwork to find someone stocking some spiker tyres, but I think it's more a question that most places have not even got their winter stock of ice tyres in yet. The ETA on Ice Spikers was early December from Chainreaction/Wiggle. These currently have them in stock atm however:

www.mailorderbikes.com
www.merlincycles.co.uk

Not sure what other spiker tyres they have in stock off-hand. The Ice Spikers are a bit OTT for communting unless it gets really bad - I tried them first time this morning and on tarmac they roll and corner worse than regular knobblies and the noise attracts quiet a bit of attention. Hopefully it will get really bad this winter, rofl.

 

[fossyant]

met someone this morning riding on ice tyres, dunno if its just me but they look useless for anything other than thick ice or snow??!! Not much cope with possible just a hard frost at worst

Seems overkill

In what way ?

I'm still easily getting 20 mph out of my Snow Studs on the road, although hard work at 30 PSI - 17 mph on the riverside path.....

Work well in all conditions - looks like I'll be using them for a couple of weeks.

Overkill - yeh, but I can do without coming off, and don't need to compount an existing shoulder injury.

From past experience I don't ride in icy conditions anymore, that was until I got the spiked tyres last winter, and I remained on the bike (and off the floor) for those 2-3 weeks of very cold and icy weather.

 

[wesa]

I took my spare bike in yesterday, fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Winter tyres, they are harder work, a bit loud and don't quite feel right. I did back off for my 40mph bend, probably took it about 30mph. By the time I got home I was looking for any wet patch that might be hiding a bit of ice.
They are also very good on wet leaves.

This morning I dived out of bed and was most disappointed that I only had a light frost, brought the regular commuter in.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Overkill - yeh, but I can do without coming off, and don't need to compount an existing shoulder injury.

I think in your case the best suggestion would be not go out on the bike when it is snowing or icy! Ice tires or not!

 

[fossyant]

PS, great attempt there Murf - Ben Hur of the cycling world..... no-one is gonna go near you with those.