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Grip Studs – User Installable Carbide Studs for Fat-bike Tires

Fat-bike.com friend, Sam D, was looking for a way to stud the fat-bike tires that he currently owns and likes rather than buying a new set of dedicated, studded fat-bike tires. Grip Studs offered the perfect solution. Let’s see how Sam likes them!

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Grip Studs are a versatile option for those who prefer using tire studs for increased traction in the snow and ice conditions of winter riding. There are several tires on the market today that offer a preset pattern of holes which accommodate tire studs. Grip Studs offer the opportunity to install the studs manually in a pattern of choice. I chose to stud my 4.8” Surly Bud (front) and Lou (rear). I’ve found this tire set to offer very adequate steering and traction in snowy conditions, and was curious to see how this killer combo could be further enhanced specifically for those icy days. There’s always the chance of hitting an ice patch during any winter riding, and the security of a little something extra on the tight turns and icy climbs definitely enhances the fun of winter riding on and off road.

Grip Studs, composed of solid tungsten carbide offer a very wide range of options in terms of stud widths, auger lengths, and knob sizes to custom fit your studs to any type of tire from bicycles to cars, trucks and beyond. Bike studs retail for right around $1.00 per stud.

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I found the installation to be very straight forward if a bit time consuming, but that’s expected. I looked over each tire, decided on a pattern and went for it. It is advertised that they can be installed quickly with a power drill. I used the hand tool offered by Grip Studs, which worked very well. I spent roughly one minute per stud and installed nearly 300 of them. If you’re a perfectionist proper positioning can be a challenge, but a little patience will go a long way in achieving a tight pattern that’s effective and pleasing to the eye. Studding my preferred tire exactly how I want is definitely a plus, and in addition, having the ability to add or subtract more studs at any time offers increased versatility.

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The Bud and Lou both have 7mm+ lugs, so I went with the Model #1000 bicycle studs that are 6.2mm long and the worked just fine.

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Front pattern alternating on the center lug and adding some alternate outside studs.

I recommend inspecting each stud upon installation for ideal positioning, making certain they are screwed directly into the tire at a 90 degree angle to ensure the proper function, and allow the studs to set perfectly into their desired locations after a handful of rides. The studs can be easily removed, but after the time spent on installation I prefer to keep this wheel set permanently studded and specifically for winter riding.

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Partially done rear pattern alternating the placement of the stud on the center paddle.

Another useful application for riders is installing Grip Studs into biking boots, Sorels, or whatever preferred winter footwear.

I’ve had the opportunity to test them in a variety of winter riding conditions. There is no doubt that Grip Studs drastically increase traction and steering ability in every situation where ice is present. They seem to have a way of biting in and giving you just a little something extra in all snowy conditions even when ice is not an issue. Using Grip Studs I could ride more aggressively and care free through icy areas where others had trouble slipping around. They certainly bring enhanced confidence when attempting icy climbs.

Grip Studs out perform any competing products I’ve tried to date, and offer adaptability. Though installation is a bit of a chore, the outcome can be quite rewarding. Positioning the studs to ones personal preference is definitely a nice advantage, and presents the unique opportunity to customize the stud pattern. Having the option of choosing a preferred tire set was definitely the most significant factor in my choosing Grip Studs. Given the rather limited options of pre-studded tires available, and the expense of purchasing an entirely new tire set, it was an easy decision to stud the tires I already own, and prefer. I would definitely recommend Grip Studs and while Grip Studs did provide promotional pricing in exchange for writing this piece, I’d buy them at full boat, they are that good!

Looking to stud up your own fat-bike tires with stud placement that will suit you specific tires and local riding conditions? Look no further than http://gripstuds.com!

5 Responses to Grip Studs – User Installable Carbide Studs for Fat-bike Tires

  1. Damian March 1, 2016 at 7:56 pm #

    Grip Studs are truly amazing. I have had 300 of them in a pair of 120tpi Nates for two winters now. In our recent freeze/thaw winters the trails have, at times, become ribbons of ice threading their way through the forests, and with these studded tires I’ve been able to ride everything, anytime, with confidence…..even icy, off-camber downhills, with a dusting of fresh snow.

    When these Nates wear out, I’ll just move the Grip Studs over to new rubber. Also they anchor extremely well into the tires. In two years I have only had to replace two Grip Studs.

    • Todd January 10, 2017 at 8:24 am #

      Any specific pattern you did on your Nates? I have a pair I’m going to do this to soon. 😊

  2. Kaleido Pete March 4, 2016 at 5:23 am #

    I even went larger to the 3000B studs in my front Bud tire and they work great.
    Great for riding on the glare ice lakes.

  3. Tom March 4, 2016 at 9:30 pm #

    One of my coworkers grip studded up a pair of Schwalbe Jumbo Jims by just putting them in the intermediate knobs only. With a little tire squish there are always 4 studs in contact with the ground. They have been superb in all conditions and they out perform any factory studded tire. There is enough rubber on the ground in the center to be mild mannered on pavement but they sit in that sweet spot to work everywhere when you need them. The best part is that he only used a few more than 100 studs per tire.

  4. Loy March 24, 2016 at 12:28 am #

    Go to hear! Just ordered a bike with Jumbo Jims and thought the tread blocks looked perfect for this application.

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