Riding in snow and ice can be tricky, but it is no longer as dangerous as it used to be. Let’s take a look at studded tires, cover their pros and cons, and discuss whether you should consider using them.
Metal studs (or spikes) are placed in the tire tread. They are designed to penetrate ice and thereby provide grip. Otherwise, the construction of a studded tire is similar to a regular tire. Studded tires offer a level of grip on ice that no other tire can compete with, and the extra traction makes riding safer.
Although studded tires provide excellent grip on icy roads, they also come with extra weight, which increases the rotating mass of the wheel, potentially making acceleration sluggish and climbing slower. At the same time, studded tires are not much slower than regular tires. The metal's contact with the road surface creates additional noise, but on most tires, the studs are placed on the sides and center of the tire, leaving the top of the tread clear to improve rolling resistance and reduce noise.
Most studded tires are designed to cope with various surfaces. If you can tolerate the extra noise, the studs will also work well on icy asphalt.
What pressure should studded tires be used at? The larger the tire's contact patch, the better the grip, so riding at lower pressure increases traction. When riding in icy conditions, you are likely not moving at race pace, so a little extra effort for better grip is well worth it.
Can studs be added to any tire? Studded tires are primarily made for mountain bikes, as well as city and touring bikes. Studded tires must be able to clear snow away and reach the ice – which is why they are only used on treaded tires.
Where you live determines whether you need studded tires. If you live in an area where snow and ice persist for a large part of the winter, studded tires are the obvious choice, as riding without them can be dangerous.
For those living in climates where seasonal icing occurs, it makes sense to invest in ice tires, as they increase the safety of commuting by bike. They also open up new riding opportunities.
In regions with a moderate climate where prolonged icing is rare, studded tires may not pay off. In such cases, one might consider winter road or mountain bike tires.
Studded tires on snow and ice - what is the point of them and are they necessary?
