Convert Bicycle Tires Into Studded Snow Tires

To deal with that pesky ice and snow on your bike, you'll need traction. If your wallet is tight, then it's time for some real "MacGyver" style craftiness.

Steps

Using Knobby Tires

  1. Purchase the right supplies.
  2. Drill (using a very small bit) down from the center of chosen knob into the tire.
  3. Drill a screw up from inside-out. If the angle isn't perpendicular to the tire, it'll stick out one side or the other.
    • Do one hole and screw at a time. Don't try drilling all the holes, then installing screws...you'll drive yourself crazy trying to find which knob you drilled.
  4. Put duct tape over the screws on the inside of the tire; sometimes it is best to use two layers of tape. You can purchase "tire liners" (there are a few brands include Slime and Mr. Tuffy) that are designed to go in between the tube and the tire instead of using duct tape to protect the tube.
  5. Mount the tires back on the rims. Getting the tires mounted on the rims will be difficult, comparable to wrestling a rabid porcupine.

Using Tires with Tubes

  1. Take wheels off of the bicycle, and the plain tires off the wheels.
  2. Find places to put screws through the tires. You will need to find spaces in the tread pattern if your tires aren't bald (remember now, only put them through the outer sides and perfectly in the middle... easiest if you only use the sides).
  3. Mark the points, and then use the screwdriver/drill to pierce through the points you marked. But be careful to drill a very small hole so that it takes you some moderate effort and time to put the screws like mentioned below. This will prevent it from collapsing inside.
  4. Put the screws pointing outward, then thread the nuts over the screws that poke through the tire. The nuts have now become your studs.
  5. Put duct tape over the screws on the inside of the tire; sometimes it is best to use two layers of tape.
  6. Put the tires back on the rims (with tubes inside of course) and then place them back on the bike nice and tight.

Using a Chain and Clips

  1. This method is by far the most reliable and easy to apply. However, it is only possible on bicycles without rim brakes.
  2. Get yourself the materials needed for this method.
  3. Take wheels off the bike and measure the cylindrical diameter of the tyres (with rims).
  4. Cut the measured length pieces (12 - 18) of the chain so it fits tightly with the tyre.
  5. Fix the chain at its place with steel clips or some iron wire. Nuts and screws can also be used.
  6. Mount the tires back on the bike. This won't be much of a problem but if it happens then pep-up your bike's mud-guards.

Tips

  • Be prepared to have plenty of time to do this. It's tedious and time-consuming.
  • Another great option for a liner is to use an old tube which you have cut in half down its length. Put this in first, then put the real tube in. I have found these to be more resilient than tape.
  • Try lowering your tire pressure so that the tire visibly deforms when on snow or ice for even better traction.
  • One way that was very successful for riding on lake ice is to use a touring tire with chain on the front wheel. Follow these steps for the chain method.

    • Get a length of old chain long enough to go around the front tire circumference. This usually involves using a chain tool and master links to get it to the right length.
    • Deflate the front tire, slip the chain in place and center it on the tire. Inflate tire and it will hold the chain in place. In use, it is like having two rows of cleats on your front wheel.
    • With an unmodified knobby tire on the rear and chain on the front, is is possible to ride and steer, even leaning into corners; the chain on the front also allows for decent braking effort.
  • These studs can be great for riding through loose dirt as well as snow, mud, ice, grass and other similar surfaces. Depending on tire width and tread, a bicycle may not be effective on loose gravel. If possible, avoid such surfaces if your bicycle doesn't have the right tires. Studs will not help you on loose gravel (loose rocks roughly 1/2" to 2" in size).

Warnings

  • This only works on fat mountain bike type tires. Not recommended with tires 27mm or smaller.
  • Method 3 would make changing the tire or tube more difficult, as the chain segments would need to be removed first.
  • Even with duct tape or other barrier between tires, it is possible to pop tubes.
  • This is not a good idea if you use UST/tubeless tires. You will lose the airtight seal that is needed to keep air pressure.
  • This is not a safe modification to a bicycle. Do so at your own risk. If it is too icy to ride a bicycle safely without snow tires, it may be too icy to do so with snow tires. Consider alternative forms of transportation.
  • Improperly inflated bicycle tires can create an unsafe condition and result in an accident and injury.

Things You'll Need

  • Method 1:
    • deepest-tread knobby tires you can find
    • a bunch of #8 X 1/2" lath screws with super-large flat heads (Lath screws are good because they are really flat and have a lot of surface area)
  • Method 2:
    • bicycle tires that use tubes
    • 40-200 short screws with matching nuts (typically 1/8"-1/2" wide nuts... and 1/4" to 1/2" long). Do not use wide or long screws, or long nuts for that matter. Use short, average-width screws with wide nuts. Nuts shouldn't be longer than 1/2 an inch.
  • Method 3:
    • Extra bicycle chain (any type will do).
    • Steel clips or nuts & screws.

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