Homemade studded tires???
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Stud
This is what I do. Use screws that measure 1/2 inch in length with a 3/32 shank hole width, stainless steel, countersink screws, available at any hardware store. Use a tire with large flat knobs. These will help to support the studs and prevent them from rolling over on hardpack. Pre-drill holes in the tire from the outside in, in the center of the flat knobs, using a 1/16 bit. This will ensure that the screws go in straight and end up where you want them to on the outside. Screw the screws in from the inside out, don't overtighten the screws, if they spin too much once they are flush with the inside of the tire they will just chew up the rubber inside the hole and won't hold as well. I put a drop of superglue on each screwhead where it contacts the rubber, I believe this helps in keeping them secure, but my riding partner skips this step. Neither of us have had any problems with the screws coming out. As the prev-poster stated, cut an old tube and use it as a tire liner. Inflate and enjoy. You may have to downsize your tire of choice due to the extra clearance needed for the screws, I use 1.95's. The screws
will ruin a paint job if they hit your chain/seatstay or frame/fork. Don't ride these on the street, it will dull the screws and cause the screws to rollover, this is the only time I have flatted one of these creations. Have fun...
This is what I do. Use screws that measure 1/2 inch in length with a 3/32 shank hole width, stainless steel, countersink screws, available at any hardware store. Use a tire with large flat knobs. These will help to support the studs and prevent them from rolling over on hardpack. Pre-drill holes in the tire from the outside in, in the center of the flat knobs, using a 1/16 bit. This will ensure that the screws go in straight and end up where you want them to on the outside. Screw the screws in from the inside out, don't overtighten the screws, if they spin too much once they are flush with the inside of the tire they will just chew up the rubber inside the hole and won't hold as well. I put a drop of superglue on each screwhead where it contacts the rubber, I believe this helps in keeping them secure, but my riding partner skips this step. Neither of us have had any problems with the screws coming out. As the prev-poster stated, cut an old tube and use it as a tire liner. Inflate and enjoy. You may have to downsize your tire of choice due to the extra clearance needed for the screws, I use 1.95's. The screws
will ruin a paint job if they hit your chain/seatstay or frame/fork. Don't ride these on the street, it will dull the screws and cause the screws to rollover, this is the only time I have flatted one of these creations. Have fun...
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I made a nice pair of studded with the old tubes inside and they worked great but then after 5 rides or so the screw heads must have started working through the protective tubes and I started flatting a lot. I finally got sick of it and decided to break down and purchase some Nokians.
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Yep, here's my FAQ on studded tires.norm said:
has anyone tried using stans in the tires after installing screws? I am sure you have to use a little more than usuall but I would guess that it would seal around the screws. Plus then you could run tubeless and not have to worry about a screw head punchering the tube. I think I am going to try this, so if it can't be done let me know otherwise I will let you know how it works.
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i have several years of experience building ice tires for both motorcycle racing and mtn bike riding. the most reliable method ive found for bicycles is to use carbide tipped car studs pushed through your bike tire from the inside.use a fresh tire with large knobs and drill holes a little smaller than your stud diameter through the middle of your knobs. you can drill every one or use an alternating pattern.there is no need to drill the very side knobs.measure the thickness of your tire by inserting something through a few different drilled knobs,then buy your studs about 3/16 longer than that measurement.once you have pushed all the studs through the tire you need to make a liner to not only protect your inner tube but to also help keep the studs pushed tight against the inside of the tire. my favorite liner is a slick tire with the bead cut off. go to your lbs and see if you can score a pair of cheap city bike take offs. lay them inside your ice tire and mark them just below the bead of your ice tire then take them back out and cut off the excess by poking a hole in the side and cutting around the tire with a sharp pair of scizzors.mount them up with a small dia. tube. in15 years of ice riding ive never lost a stud!!norm said:
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norm
recently i created some homemade studded tires. took them out for a ride this weekend and they worked great, although i have nothing to compare them to since i have not owned any manufactured studded tires.
anyway with some advice from other and some personal touches, lol, here is what i did
materials: 300 #6x1/2in brass wood screws, 2 old inner tubes, 2 tires, duct tape and about a dozen beers (as advised previously)
procedure:
1. drill "pilot" holes through knobs you want to stud from outside
2. from inside run screws through pilot holes
3. cut old tubes into sections and duct tape over screws as a liner
4. mount on rim
i used brass since i could not find stainless steel and although a little softer than steel they will not corrode and not nearly as expensive a SS. anyway included some pics. good luck and have fun
recently i created some homemade studded tires. took them out for a ride this weekend and they worked great, although i have nothing to compare them to since i have not owned any manufactured studded tires.
anyway with some advice from other and some personal touches, lol, here is what i did
materials: 300 #6x1/2in brass wood screws, 2 old inner tubes, 2 tires, duct tape and about a dozen beers (as advised previously)
procedure:
1. drill "pilot" holes through knobs you want to stud from outside
2. from inside run screws through pilot holes
3. cut old tubes into sections and duct tape over screws as a liner
4. mount on rim
i used brass since i could not find stainless steel and although a little softer than steel they will not corrode and not nearly as expensive a SS. anyway included some pics. good luck and have fun
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has anyone trying putting cap screws from the outside in...albeit keeping them short enough that they don't stick inside the tire?
DMR
DMR
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1/4" hex head sheetmetal screws work well. the problem with them is when they are short enough not to puncture your tube they tend to rip out. it is also hard to find the exact length you need without drill points on them.the best way to use them is with a tire liner.(read my previous thread). you might try going tubeless with a lot of sealant. atv ice racers do it that way and it seems to work for them and they use hundreds of screws per tire!DMR For Life said:
These homemade setups can work really well at a fraction of the cost of those high dollar Nokian tires.
For a tubed setup, I am using self drilling panhead sheet metal screws and old road bike tire with the beads cut off as a liner, the previous try using duct tape liner only lasted 2 rides. No sealer or glue used on the screws and they have not pushed out even with running on a few rocks here and there. Its just amazing how well these work on the ice and hardpack snow. I am also working on a tubeless setup and will post a picture of that when done (its holding air fine with over 50 screws and no tube now!) Should be a lot lighter than the tubed setup since no liner will be required.
For a tubed setup, I am using self drilling panhead sheet metal screws and old road bike tire with the beads cut off as a liner, the previous try using duct tape liner only lasted 2 rides. No sealer or glue used on the screws and they have not pushed out even with running on a few rocks here and there. Its just amazing how well these work on the ice and hardpack snow. I am also working on a tubeless setup and will post a picture of that when done (its holding air fine with over 50 screws and no tube now!) Should be a lot lighter than the tubed setup since no liner will be required.
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Yeah, you don't want to run your riding buddy over with those!clunkin said:
I am running about 35psi with that tube setup pictured. They are squirmy on the road for sure, especially cornering. I suspect they would be a little squirmy on something like lake ice, but I rarely ride pure ice, usually just snow hardpack and refrozen trails. On the snowpack you don't notice any handling issues, just great traction and cornering.
I didn't put any screws near the center of the tire as I figured they would be more likely to push back or cause even more strange handling issues. Even on a fairly flat surface, those screws out on the edge hook up fine, so no real need for them in the middle.
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