Downhill

For those of us living in the snow, especially Seattle, where the roads are Icy, and the DOT has no snow plan, it’s hard to get around safely or quickly. For people like me without a 4×4 (yet), driving is not a good option, and walking is just boring. But I just made myself a pair of studded tires for those ICY roads and sidewalks.

What you need:
Some used DH tires you don’t plan on using in the spring.
Sheet metal and or wood screws.
Sealant that can work with rubber.
Duct Tape.

Tools:
Drill.
Driver bit.
A few albums of awesome music. (the tires will take a good while to make)

Here’s how it’s done:

Get some old DH tires like Maxxis Minions. It’s easier to make them studded if they are solidly built and double ply. TIP!: Get smaller tires like 2.3, etc. The larger DH tires may interfere with your frame when you have spikes sticking out of them. EEK!

Drill holes directly into the knobs you wish to have spikes. The knobs will support the screws as you bike.
Repeat a couple hundred times.

On the inside, screw in your sheet metal or wood screws. I used 1/2″ screws, thicker ones for the center tread, and slightly thinner ones for the outside. Repeat a couple hundred times.

Apply some sealant to each screw after they are seated into the tire. Make sure that the sealant bonds RUBBER! A lot of the stuff I tried peals off the tire when it dries. Time to use those label reading skills

Duct tape the inside just as a safety measure after the sealant is all dry. You may need to use a heat gun or a hairdryer to help the tape stick a little better. The tape will keep you from getting any pinch flats (backup to the sealant).

Put that stuff on your bike! Be careful you don’t stab yourself in the process.

Enjoy! Be careful when putting your foot down when stopping or getting off your bike. Your tires will grip, but your feet will probably not if you’re any bit as cool as I am.