Build your own ice racers have been doing this for ages (from ICEBike
page): Also at SilentSports
<http://www.silentsports.net/stud_your_own_bike_tires.html>
This is what you need to make your very own studded tire:
1. One tire. You need a tire with knobs big enough to
support the stud. the stud as explained further down, has to be on the
2. 50 (approx.) Robertson head #8 by 1/2" sheet metal
screws (the square head, you'll thank me for this tip) for mountain
bike tires (26inch) or #8 by 3/8 inch for hybrid tires (700c)
3. Liner for each tire. This can be made by cutting the
beads off an old tire, cutting out the valve and slitting along the
inside of an inner tube or just buying a Mr. Tuffy tire liner.
4. Baby powder.
5. One sharp awl. (or a 1/8" drill bit)
Instructions
*Count the knobs and evenly spread out the 25 screws for each side.
*Punch holes, from the outside of the tire, into the designated
knobs. You can drill the hole, however, drilling tends to tear the
fabric and thus weakens the tire. Caution you don't need a million
screws in there! Too many screws just slows you down.
*Use Robertson bit in the drill to drive the screws in the tire from the inside.
* Put liner inside tire and make sure it covers the screw heads
*Put a generous dusting of baby powder between the liner and the tube.
*Mount tire on the rim (ouch! watch out for the points!)
*Inflate to maximum pressure. Put the wheel on the bike (mind the
points). Spin the wheel to make sure that the studs don't catch on
anything.
Comments
You only need to stud the front tire to keep upright; however, if
you stud the back tire as well, it's even better. One caveat is that
these tires are only suitable for winter conditions. The difference
between one studded front and no studded tires in phenomenal. When the
bike is travelling straight the studs shouldn't be hitting the road
too hard; otherwise, they will just wear out too soon. Don't worry,
when the tire slips just a bit the studs will bite in. You rarely
notice the slight side to side movement.
You don't need to stud the middle knobs since you only need the
added traction when you are turning. The studs should touch the road
enough to allow sufficient braking. The studs in the middle knobs wear
out very fast and soon become useless anyway.
Stainless steel screws will last much longer, but also cost about
3 times as much. You can change screws as they wear out, your tire can
survive several sets of studs.
R
--
Pointlessly blogging at www.robindavies.vox.com
Try something new every day.
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