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26 x 4 Light Studded Terrene Cake Eater – Initial Look

 

Terrene is the new kid on the block for tire companies but already have a second studded fat tire tread available in their line up. Last year they introduced the Wazia which falls in the all-round to aggressive range of “knobbiness.” This year Terrene is offering the Cake Eater as a faster rolling fat tire option. Both tread designs come in 4 and 4.6 inch listed sizes, a variety of casing options and studded or unstudded (but with stud pockets you can fill with studs if you want). For whatever it is worth, I have tested a lot of studded tires and the 4.6” Light studded Wazia is my go-to tire for most winter riding right now. Because of that, the bar is set pretty high for Terrene and I am stoked to be trying another design from them.

I received a pair of the 26×4 Light studded Cake Eaters which will be a nice contrast to the 4.6 studded Wazias that I ride all the time. Here are the stats on the tires I got:

  • Casing width: 99mm (3.9″) on 80 mm rims @ 8 psi
  • Knob width: 98mm (3.9″) on 80 mm rims @ 8 psi
  • Center knobs are approximately 4 mm tall and side knobs are 6 mm
  • The overall diameter: 725 mm (28.5”) @ 8 psi
  • The bead-to-bead measurement: 232 mm (9.1)  mm
  • Stud count: 180
  • 62a durometer
  • 120tpi casing
  • My pair weighted 1,389g & 1,326g (published 1,395g)
  • Labeled tubeless ready
  • $200/tire

The knob design is similar looking in ways to the Wazia but with some notable differences. The center knobs are lower at only 4mm tall (Wazia’s are 5mm) but the side lugs are the same height at 6mm. The center knobs on the Cake Eaters have smaller knobs all over the tire and far different siping on in the center region compared to the Wazia. The sipes are smaller and have a zig zag pattern at a variety of angles. The center knobs are fairly closely spaced and then the intermediate region of the tire is much more open before getting to a sharp row of closely spaced and well-reinforced side knobs. The tread design is definitely directional with only one recommended direction listed on the sidewall. Based on looks alone it should be fast in a straight line and should hook up well once it starts to get leaned over in corners. Finding out how that all pans out on snow will be interesting.

Terrene is making the best tire studs of any tire manufacturer that I know of. They have a triple point, carbide tipped, aluminum-based stud that starts sharp and stays sharp after hundreds of miles of use. With the Wazia you get notably more traction on ice per stud compared to any other stock studded tires. The Cake Eaters use 180 studs which is more than the Wazia but Terrene is using a shorter stud on the Cake Eater. My guess is that this will make it the Cake Eater a bit quicker rolling on ice but I will be interested to see how the traction compares on different types of ice.

My pair mounted up tubeless very easily with a goldilocks bead fit; not too tight, nor to loose. They haven’t done anything weird like seep or have pinprick holes in the sidewalls. They are just how tubeless tires should be.

Right now Mother Nature has been serving up a great big helping of powder in my area so I have only fondled the Cake Eaters and have not yet ridden them. I am a big boy at almost 200 lbs geared up so I can’t use a lighter knobbed, 4” tire for everyday riding when we have over 7’ of snow so far this year. However, our beach ice riding is just coming on and I am looking forward to getting on some lakes to play around. I am also stoked for our next thaw/freeze cycle. Based on the density of our groomed base I think we are going to get some white cement forming on our groomed trails and these tires could be a great choice. Look for my full review in a month or so.

For more information about Terrene Tires visit – terrenetires.com

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8 Responses to 26 x 4 Light Studded Terrene Cake Eater – Initial Look

  1. Pistil Pete January 15, 2018 at 10:20 am #

    Looking forward to a ride report, especially how they handle through the transition from center to side knobs. It certainly is an interesting tire,though the name is hard on my sensibilities. Makes me think of clueless nobility and guillotines…

  2. Erv Spanks January 15, 2018 at 11:05 am #

    I’m interested to hear how these compare to the Wazia, especially as a front tire. I love my Wazias, but the front has a tendency to washout at times. Listening to FatCamp, Ken and Andy seem to like the combo of a Wazia out back with a Dilly 5 up front. You guys think the Cake Eater could replace the Dilly?

    • Tyler January 17, 2018 at 5:14 am #

      Erv, usually you want a more aggressive tire up front. If anything I would go Wazia front and Cake in back. But that’s just my opinion.
      D5 is a good front choice too.

      • Erv Spanks January 17, 2018 at 11:42 am #

        Yepper! Thanks!

  3. Jorden Wakeley January 16, 2018 at 9:27 pm #

    Studded Cake Eaters were money at Big M on Saturday! #gripandrip

  4. Jeff March 21, 2020 at 3:51 pm #

    They are a piece of shit, the tip barely protrudes past the rubber.
    The are a piece of shit on ice, maybe snow they are alright but for ice they are shit
    I got them on sale and the are still a piece of shit.
    I mean just so you are clear of what I am trying to say , front or back studded cake eaters are a piece of shit

    • Gomez March 22, 2020 at 1:06 pm #

      Like a major pos or like one metric turd?

    • slappy27 March 24, 2020 at 8:00 am #

      So less prariedogging more turtle heading, got it.

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