Winter Cycling - Studded tires - how long do they stay studded?

This is my first winter riding Nokians (240 studs...) and I have to say they are great. They've already paid for themselves with the additional trips to work I have been able to make (despite the truly miserable weather here.)

However, I don't have 500 miles on these things yet and I notice the middle studs are very rounded compared to the outer studs.

Are they likely to grind themselves away before I hit even 2000 miles?

This is my first winter riding Nokians (240 studs...) and I have to say they are great. They've already paid for themselves with the additional trips to work I have been able to make (despite the truly miserable weather here.)

However, I don't have 500 miles on these things yet and I notice the middle studs are very rounded compared to the outer studs.

Are they likely to grind themselves away before I hit even 2000 miles?

I'll take a stab at this though I certainly am no expert. Your studs have carbide tips which look a little rounded compared to what they are on top of. I believe these are exactly the same kind of studs that car tires have. You'll get plenty of miles out of em is my guess.

So far for me, the tire casings or beads have come apart before studs were lost or worn away much.

I got 3 winters on daily commuting on my last set of Nokian 296's. Still have 'em in the garage.

The more bare pavement the sooner they wear out. I try NOT to use them on snowless roads. In fact I seek out the roads with snow to spare the studs and a more quiet ride...not to mention more fun and less cars:D

The more bare pavement the sooner they wear out. I try NOT to use them on snowless roads. In fact I seek out the roads with snow to spare the studs and a more quiet ride...not to mention more fun and less cars:D

I've been using them mainly for commuting and on 80% clear roads. However, it's the 20% where you need the studs. Even if they do wear prematurely, they make winter travel possible. Last time I went out w/o studded tires, I managed to land on my butt.

I'm guessing I'll see at least another winter out of them, maybe 2 more.

explain 'rounded' - if the studs stick out of the flashing, they will grip on ice. I have nokian haaka's that I've ridden for about 4000+ kms, almost exclusively on bare pavement - they're rounded but still grip ice as well as when I first got them. Today I went out on the bike trails (usually I'm just going to and from work) and they did journeyman work on the packed ice, snow and slush that I encountered.

I've got the Hakka 294's also. Those things are the bomb! I just got them this season. And I've probably put about 300 miles or so on them. I've checked the studs out and I have'nt really noticed any wear on them. Of course I use them when I need them. Otherwise I switch to my wheelset with the road tires on them. I've ridden on bare pavement and snow and ice. Last year I had a Schwalbe Snow stud (which sucked) in the rear and a Mount & Ground 160 up front (it was great). This year I wanted to go with a beefier tire, so I got the 294. So far it's done everything I wanted it to. I just have to wait till next year to see how they hold up. But I took others' opinion here on BikeForums about the Nokians lasting for 2 or 3 seasons. So only time will tell. I'll let you know next season.

I bought a pair of Nokkain 296's about 5 years ago. I've put at least 1,500 miles on them on ice, snow and pavement with no discernible wear.

My 296 Extremes are on winter #5 and have about 5000km on them. As others have mentioned the tires will fall apart before the studs wear out. The tires were one of the best bike purchases I've ever made (and I've made a lot!), definitely will buy again.

One thing I have done to (try to) extend the life of the studs is ride on asphalt rather than concrete whenever possible... Asphalt is softer than concrete and less abrasive.