New Studded Tires

[Ronocerous]

I just received my new Nokian Mount and Ground tires in the mail. On the tag it says I should put 30 miles on them riding on pavement - to break them in, I suppose. The roads here are still covered with snow and ice and there isn't much pavement around. Should I wait to install them? :(

R

[Zin]

I would mount them, if you have the need right away. Then hope for the best. But thats just me.

[Gojohnnygo.]

I would mount them, if you have the need right away. Then hope for the best. But thats just me.

I agree. Just don't go overboard on them. Take your time find out what their limits are on ice and snow. Just feel them out, Its not like riding on pavement or dirt with regular tires and don't forget to play around with the tire pressure. Less pressure gives you more grip and flotation on snow an ice and more pressure will make them faster on dry and wet pavement.

I have had people tell me 50 to 100 miles for the break in. Oh well, Better safe then sorry mount them.

Good Luck

[Ronocerous]

Thanks. I couldn't wait so I put them on...my first experience changing a tire. I think it went ok. I took the bike on a quick tour around the block: is it just me or do studded tires rock!

I'll take it easy and feel them out, but I already notice a big difference on ice ruts.

[Juha]

I took the bike on a quick tour around the block: is it just me or do studded tires rock!

It is just you :D.

--J (still rocking with the same set of Nokians for the 3rd winter now)

[2manybikes]

........ studded tires do rock!! ........ mine do anyway. I can ride right over frozen footsteps on the sidewalk or the bike path. On the local ice skating rink I can bank the bike in corners and do wheelies, when the ice is very cold and very flat. I find the temperature and condition of the ice and the pressure in the tires makes a big difference....................Nokian 296's............ if the snow is deep and the studs can't dig into ice,then they are about the same as good knobbies. They have stopped me from using my indoor trainer completely. Don't roll them over your neoprene bike booties, or the hardwood floor in the living room, or the tile floor in the kitchen either.!!!! Same set of Nokians three years. It seems as if the studs get pushed farther into the tire over time ,but when removed and measured against new studs they are within .oo3 of the new ones. I may try removing and reinstalling them. I have already rotated the front and rear once. The drive side rear studs seemed shorter. but were just farther in the tire?! Possibly the tire is breaking down under the studs??