3 Ways to Convert Bicycle Tires to Snow Studded Tires

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2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

To be able to deal with ice and snow when cycling, you need a lot of traction. If you don't have a lot of money, it's time to turn yourself into "MacGyver" and try your hand at DIY.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treaded Tires

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 1

Step 1. Buy the right material

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 2

Step 2. Drill holes (and a very small bit) in the center of each dowel you want to nail

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 3

Step 3. Insert a screw from the inside of the tire to the outside

If you are not accurate and do not drill holes perpendicular to the tread surface, the screw will not be straight.

Drill a hole and insert one screw at a time. Don't drill all the holes first and then insert all the screws… you'll go crazy searching for holes

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 4

Step 4. Put very strong adhesive tape on the screw heads

Sometimes it is necessary to make a double layer of tape. You can also buy a specific product designed to stay between the inner tube and the tire and protect the former.

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 5

Step 5. Fit the tires to the wheels

It could be a bit difficult operation, like a hand-to-hand fight with a porcupine!

Method 2 of 3: Normal Tires

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 6

Step 1. Remove the wheels from the bike and remove the tires

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 7

Step 2. Identify the places to fix the screws

You will need to look for free space within the tread pattern design if the tires are not smooth (remember to place them perfectly in the center).

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 8

Step 3. Mark these points and then, with a drill or screwdriver, drill the holes

Be careful and make very small holes, so you will have to do less effort and take less time. It also prevents the tire from collapsing inwards.

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 9

Step 4. Insert the screws from the inside to the outside of the rubber and then secure them with the nuts

The dice will be the equivalent of the dowels.

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 10

Step 5. Cover the screw heads with strong adhesive tape, sometimes it is useful to put two layers

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 11

Step 6. Put the tires back on the rims (with the inner tube of course) and reassemble the bicycle by tightening all the nuts securely

Method 3 of 3: With Hooks and Chain

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 12

Step 1. This method is by far the simplest and most reliable

However, it can only be applied to those bikes that do not have rim brakes.

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 13

Step 2. Gather what you need

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 14

Step 3. Remove the wheels from the bike and measure the section of the tire including the rim

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 15

Step 4. Cut pieces of chain (12-18) as long as the section of the rubber

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 16

Step 5. Secure the chains across the tire with steel hooks or wire

You can also use small bolts with nuts.

Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires Step 17

Step 6. Put the wheels back on the bike

They shouldn't be a problem, but if they get in the way, remove the fenders.

Advice

Get ready, it will take some time. It is a long and repetitive job.
Lower tire pressure to 37-42 PSI when there is snow or ice to improve grip.
One way to travel across frozen lakes is to mount a chain-driven touring tire on the front wheel. Follow these instructions.

Take a piece of old chain, long enough to go around the full circumference of the front wheel. This operation requires the use of suitable tools and knowing how to manage the various meshes.
Deflate the front wheel, slide the chain into place and center it on the tire. Inflate the tire, the pressure will keep the chain steady. It will be like having a double row of knobs on the front wheel.
If you have a bike with a knobbly rear tire (unmodified) and a front one with a chain, you can ride the bike and turn even in tight corners; furthermore the front chain guarantees a good braking action.

These spiked wheels are great for pedaling on soft ground such as snow, mud, ice, grass and similar surfaces. But be careful! Bikes are not made to ride on gravel, so avoid these terrains. The anchors and nails do not help on the gravel.
To cover the screw heads you can also use an old air chamber cut in half. Insert this first and then the real inner tube: it is a more effective solution than adhesive tape.

Warnings

This is not a safe modification for the bicycle. You do this at your own risk. If there is too much ice to ride safely without snow tires, there may be too much ice for studded tires as well. Consider other means of transportation.
Even if you put adhesive tape or other protections over the screw heads, the air chamber can get punctured.
These instructions only work for thick mountain bike tires. If the tread is less than 27mm, do not follow them.
Tires with bad pressure make the bike unsafe with probable accidents and injuries.
The third method could make changing the tire or inner tube more difficult, since the chain segments must first be removed.
This is not a good idea if you are using tubeless or UST tires. The tires will not lose the airtight seal needed to maintain pressure.

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