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It's protecting the inner-tube from rubbing against the screw heads of my DIY studs. Did the same thing last year and it worked great.
What about putting in an old tire tube instead of tape? Basically use the old tire tube as a layer? I suppose you'd still have to tape it, but it does provide a thicker layer. Can you also post a pic of your tire with the spikes visible?
Another option might be to get one of those plastic anti-puncture tire liners
I like another example of duct tape being integral part of biking!
But ls it worth the effort compared to just buying a studded tire?
I mean ok, costs 50€ or so, but will have proper wolfram carbide tipped studs that will probably last 10 times as long while also being a more comfortable ride and less likely to go flat, even with the tape.
I run studded tire on the rear because I got two for free with the bike, but on the front I had to DIY it since they don't make studded tires this wide.
Either way, it's always the sidewall that gives out first. And since a studded tire is almost double the price - yeah, it might save money in the long run depending on how much you value your time. The job's a bit tedious the first time, but the next time you've already got the pre-made holes, so it goes easy.
A studded fatbike tire runs about 170€ and lasts two to three seasons. Screws are 17€ for 1000 pieces. Also, the benefit of doing it yourself is that you can choose the amount of studs and the pattern of them. On the rear tire I tend to put the studs closer to the centre where as on the front I put them more towards the sides.
Ok, then it makes sense!
It's a 26 x 5.05 fat tire.
There's three overlapping rows and 2 layers. New tires need to be washed to get the tape to stick. I have one strip of extremely sticky vapour barrier tape in the middle to help with adhesion.
Are studded tires a mountain biking thing? I can't imagine it would help my commute.
They don't really help much with snow.
But they are essential equipment when you live in a region that regularly has iced roads, especially during early morning commute.
I don't think most mountain bikers ride in the snow - especially not in the conditions I do. I can usually get by with normal tires and low pressure for most of the winter, but come early spring when the snow melts in the sun during the day and then freezes at night, those trails turn treacherous. On smooth, hard ice, studs are the only option. Normal tires have literally zero traction.
That makes sense. We don't get much snow here.
That's a great solution! I made a studded tire way back, but used some old inner tubes for protection instead.
My only regret was using regular screws, if I do it again I'd use stainless steel ones.
These are self-drilling and tapping ones which have hardened tips. These too wear off faster than they rust.