Studded tyres for snow and ice: what’s the point and do you need them?

By Nick Clark

Published: Friday, 16 December 2022 at 12:00 am

Riding in the snow and ice can be difficult, if not downright dangerous.

It can be especially tough for electric bikes because the additional torque from an electric bike motor can cause the rear tyre to spin out.

Studded bike tyres improve control and traction in icy conditions because metal studs or spikes are embedded into the tread of the tyre.

Here, we will look at studded tyres for cycling in the snow, examine their advantages and disadvantages and outline whether you should consider using them.

We spoke to tyre expert and ex-pro mountain biker Robert Mennen from Schwalbe to hear what the brand has to say on the topic.

What are studded tyres?

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Studded tyres feature metal studs embedded into the tread to boost grip in icy or snowy conditions.
Getty

Studded tyres are oddities for those living in regions that don’t experience cold weather.

Metal studs (or spikes) are embedded into the tread of the tyre. These are designed to penetrate into ice, providing traction.

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Schwalbe uses alloy studs with a carbide tip.
Schwalbe

These studs are usually made out of metal, with Schwalbe using a tungsten carbide tip to increase longevity.

The construction of a studded tyre is otherwise similar to a normal tyre.

What are the advantages of studded tyres?

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Studded tyres make icy bicycle adventures possible.
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Studded tyres provide a level of traction that no other tyre can match on ice.

The extra grip provides safer riding characteristics, with Mennen adding, “our biggest discipline for studded tyres is the commuter market, as people need the added levels of grip in the winter months.”

What are the disadvantages of studded tyres?

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Studded tyres only make sense if you live somewhere with long periods of icy weather.
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While studded tyres add great levels of grip on icy roads, they do come with a weight penalty – all that extra metal soon adds up.

This weight adds to the rolling mass of the bike, which can make it feel sluggish to accelerate and slow up hills.

While the extra weight might feel sluggish, Mennen says Schwalbe’s studded tyres aren’t much slower than regular tyres.

“When we tested the rolling resistance of our studded tyres, they scored very similar to our Addix Ultra Soft compound we use for downhill mountain bike tyres,” Mennen explains.

He adds that “when riding on snow, you also need to compress [the snow] down, which requires extra effort.”

Having metal in contact with the road can also make your bike sound a bit like a tank. Most tyres will have studs added to the shoulders and middle of the tyre, leaving the crown clear for better rolling resistance and reduced noise.

Studded tyres can be quite expensive because the manufacturing process is more involved.

Schwalbe’s Marathon Winter tyre costs £58.99 at RRP, which is around £20 more expensive than its studless counterpart. A Continental Contact Spike is similar at £54.99 RRP, compared to £34.99 for the regular tyre.

Mennen says riders can expect approximately four seasons of use from Schwalbe’s studded tyres.

Studded tyres also require a running-in period in order to make sure all the studs are seated properly in the tyre. Schwalbe recommends a 40km ride on asphalt for its tyres, and also sells a tool for manually fixing the studs into place.

Can you use studded tyres on asphalt?

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You can ride with studded tyres on the road.
Tom Marvin / Immediate Media

You don’t have to live next to an ice lake to benefit from the added grip of studded tyres.

Most studded tyres are designed to cope with mixed surface types. If you can deal with the added noise, then studs work well on icy asphalt.

However, bikes registered as motorised vehicles cannot legally use studded tyres on roads – this includes electric bikes that aren’t limited to 25km/h. This is because studs can damage road surfaces.

What pressure should studded tyres be run at?

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Running your tyres at lower pressures will help improve grip.
Alex Evans

The larger the contact patch, the more grip you will have, so running studded tyres at lower pressures will heighten grip levels.

The trade-off for more grip is more drag, though most tyres can be inflated to higher pressures to improve rolling resistance.

If you’re riding in icy conditions, it’s unlikely you’ll be going at race pace, so a bit of extra effort is worth it for the added grip.

Can any tyre be studded?

Studded tyres are mainly found in two sectors – mountain bike tyres and commuter/touring tyres.

“It is unlikely you’ll see a slick studded tyre unless it was solely designed for ice rinks,” says Mennen. “Studded tyres need to be able to shed snow and reach the ice below – this is why they only feature on bikes with tread”.

Do you need studded tyres?

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If you live somewhere that experiences extended periods of wintery weather, studded tyres make sense.
MBUK / Immediate Media

Where you live will determine whether you need studded tyres.

If you live where ice is present for most of the winter, then studded tyres are a no-brainer bcecause riding without them may be hazardous.

For those who live in climates that experience a season of ice, it makes sense to invest in a set of ice tyres because they add a level of safety to commuting by bike. They can also open up a world of riding opportunities.

Studded tyres might not be worth the investment for those in more temperate climates that see few prolonged icy spells. If that sounds like you, you may want to consider winter road bike tyres or winter mountain bike tyres.

Can you add studs to a tyre?

It is not uncommon for people to make their own ice tyres by adding small screws to their worn-out tyres.

These creations straddle the line between clever hack and sketchy bodge, but can be an accessible way to experience ice riding on a budget. Proceed with caution.

Six studded tyres to consider

Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus

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The venerable Marathon Plus is available in a studded version.
Schwalbe
  • 240 studs
  • Dynamo-compatible
  • £58.99 / €74.49

Featuring 240 studs, the Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus is based on the brand’s commuting/touring tyre and features the same SmartGuard puncture protection as its non-studded brethren.