Snow and Ice soon to come

[Magic]

Who here has ever done any ice riding? Nothing like sitting around and studding up a pair of old tires for some ice riding. The traction is great on ice with homemade ice tires. We used to ride Minnihaha Falls in the winter, what a rush. The past few winters haven't been good for ice riding. But was just thinking about it, it's closer than we think - winter that is.:D

[thebionicman]

Nothing like spending a couple of hours with a crap tire, a box of sheet metal screw and a drill. I can't wait to get out and ride the ice this winter.

[Magic]

I hear where you're coming from. I have two set of tires waiting for ice. Nothing like looking back at your hands after making a set of ice tires. Damn those sheet metal screws are sharp. We'll have to get out for a ride.

[Trevize1138]

You guys keep using the phrase "nothing like" ... almost conspicuously so ... hmmm ...

[Magic]

What him trying to say.....................

[thebionicman]

Looking down at you hands with thousands of little cuts in them. The best was riding around school in the winter, they all looked at me like I was crazy. Its the best when you go into a corner that you know you should be sliding out and it sticks.

[Magic]

I love the sound it makes when you ride on the ice. And the traction is great. Climbing with the ice tires on, you can feel them dig into the ice. Great times to be had by all that try it.

[mtnbykr]

qbp has generic studded 26x2.1 tires that use the same studs as car tires. they work very well and no need to "screw" around w/ screws. probably lighter too.


kl

[thebionicman]

qbp has generic studded 26x2.1 tires that use the same studs as car tires. they work very well and no need to "screw" around w/ screws. probably lighter too.
But part of the fun is making your own studded tires.

[fasterfoster]

Who here has ever done any ice riding? Nothing like sitting around and studding up a pair of old tires for some ice riding. The traction is great on ice with homemade ice tires... The past few winters haven't been good for ice riding.:DCheck out this thread regarding last year's Ice Race Series.
http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10129

[Trevize1138]

I may have to try the home made ice tires this year ... out of pure necessity! :shocked:

[transplant]

Two things I need to know:

1) Where can I find instructions on how to stud tires
and/or
2) QBP's tires.

[nigel]

Two things I need to know:

1) Where can I find instructions on how to stud tires
and/or
2) QBP's tires.1) check mtbr.com there is prolly something on the their forums, or im sure someone will respond fast.
2)ANY local bike shop can get them in a day, or Freewheel might have them in stock, they usually have in the past. (they are the IRC tires, otherwise youre looking at Nokians, which kick ass but cost quite a bit)

[TomT]

For the ice bike races last year I put together the following instructions.

http://www.gbronline.com/templeinmn/stud.html

[transplant]

Thanks to both of you. I'll have to check out both options. Living in White Bear Lake gives me all sorts of opportunities to ice ride.

[el gueche]

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp nice page - guy has strong opinions - el

[mtnbykr]

2) QBP's tires.
they're made by innova, have 268 replaceable studs and the qbp part # is tr5260. any lbs can order then for you, some have them in stock. tires work really nice but heavy [1190 grams] and can be rode on pavement w/o problems, unlike screw-studded tires, which i've found, can be dangerous on dry pavement.

kl

[TML]

For the majority of winter riding studs aren't really needed at all. When it comes to honest to goodness ice though it's definitely fun to fly around with a good home-brewed set. It was fun last year to see the different set ups at the ice races. The set I made last year are my best so far. I've previously made a set with rivets and also made a set of chains back in the college days. The chains were only on the rear tire and had only one good use - deep snow. Otherwise they were worthless. Last year I used a mix of self tapping screws and steel stud screws. I'll try and get a picture of them up sometime.

[mtnbykr]

For the majority of winter riding studs aren't really needed at all.you need to ride up here this winter. studs make all the difference in riding vs walking every hill. we've rode lester river when it has been blue ice for 5 miles. so slick you slid sideways even w/ studs.

since qbp started stocking the innova tires, the biggest sellers in the winter here are lights and those tires. been on rides where ther'es been 20+ pairs of the innovas.


kl

[TML]

you need to ride up here this winter. studs make all the difference in riding vs walking every hill. we've rode lester river when it has been blue ice for 5 miles. so slick you slid sideways even w/ studs.


In this case, very true. That sounds like plenty of fun! Keep me posted when conditions are ripe.

[Magic]

The tires I build are for ice only. I have about 3/8" of stud out of the tire. So pavement riding is not fun. Like I said before, my old group used to ride the falls and the creek all the way back to Mlps. We also rode down at Battle Creek on the creek when good ice was there. All those other tires out on the market are great for commuting. I like ICE riding. We'll all have to get out this winter if we get good ice to ride on.

[TML]

We'll all have to get out this winter if we get good ice to ride on.
Sounds like a plan.

[tedsti]

I bought a pair of the Innovas last year. I really wasn't that impressed with them in the snow. They helped on ice, but I have other tires that worked much better in snow. Their biggest problem is lateral traction. The rear always wanted to slide out sideways on me.

Ted

[mtnbykr]

In this case, very true. That sounds like plenty of fun! Keep me posted when conditions are ripe.
will do. the window is very small, last time was 2 days. once it snows, it all goes away...

kl

[mtnbykr]

I bought a pair of the Innovas last year. I really wasn't that impressed with them in the snow. They helped on ice, but I have other tires that worked much better in snow. Their biggest problem is lateral traction. The rear always wanted to slide out sideways on me.Ted
ted,

trying lowering the air pressure. we're running <15# and have no problems like that. the casing is fairly heavy/stiff and will support you at lower pressure.

i wish they came in a larger 29" size...

kl