My snow riding tire studs

[Kev_CR]

I found some threads on TT showing some homemade snow studded tires using carriage bolts through the tires, and thought I'd give it a try. It was a pain to do, I'm hopping the outcome is worth it. Has anyone tried this?

[D3luxe]

If nothing else, at least it looks sick :P

I was thinking about getting studded tires, but decided against it seeing as in the next week or so I'm doing a complete tear down anyway.

Anyone have any opinions on those? I may try them out next year.

[Kev_CR]

I just got back from a ride with them.. Much better than straight tires!! I rode everything from deep rutted hard packed trails to deep powder. It can still get a little squirly. I'd say it's about twice as hard as riding in sand.

Great practice in balancing, yet not crazy dangerous like it feels with regular rubber.

[VAL]

Too much fun for one guy. Kev, dont you have a track in your back yard?

[Kev_CR]

Originally Posted by VAL

Too much fun for one guy. Kev, dont you have a track in your back yard?

I do have a track in my backyard, it's a small arenacross style track, but fun. I also have a nice mountain trail system with some cool free ride area's with killer jumps that I can ride to out of my garage. When I found this house for sale I had to buy it.

Problem is that the family rides there bikes/quads so much that I get behind on maintenance.

[VAL]

I reiterate, too much fun for one guy to have. Is that legal?

[Kev_CR]

Originally Posted by VAL

I reiterate, too much fun for one guy to have. Is that legal?

Legal until a neighbor causes enough fuss to have my track shut down and some environmentalist group shuts down the BLM land to motorized vehicles.

Good thing is that a majority of the people in the town ride, so it would be a battle if either was too happen..

Oh man, now I just jinxed myself (knocking on wood)..

[Kev_CR]

I became a lot more comfortable riding these tires my second trip out.. For anyone who dreads un-ridable winters as much as I do, I recommend studs as an option.

I had a blast!!

[sandnap]

Awesome, simply awesome. That looks like a lot of work but I am sure that the extended riding season makes it worthwhile. Is jealousy one of the seven deadly sins? If so consider me a sinner.

[eworksdesign]

very cool!!

[Kev_CR]

Thanks!! I had some misfortune with the bike today, I went out and got a flat tire way up into the trails. I noticed because the side studs in the rear tire started rubbing on the chain. So, I hobbled my way back on it slowly. When I got back I discovered one of my spokes was also completly out and bent up and a number of them were loose.

When I got the tube out it was just a tire scab I had put on it had come up causing the leak. I fixed my spokes and put in a new tube but now it's getting dark. I guess I'm going to have to get a headlight of some sort for night riding. Stupid short winter days..