Winter Cycling - Lifespand of quality studded tires

I am thinking of purchasing a quality set of studded tires for either my mountain bike or my folding bike. While I wouldn't get much use out of them in any one year, I'd expect to use them for a long time if they would last.

So assuming that they spend most of their time in storage, how long would they last?

Are there methods of storage that could lengthen their lifespan?

Given a choice would you use 26" tires on a mountain bike (no fenders) or 20" tires on a folder (with fenders) for riding in light snow with a variety of ice?

I will be on my four year using my Marathon Winters. After maybe 1000-2000 miles, they have lost 1-2% of their studs (fallen off). There is really no visible tread wear.

My first set of Nokian Extremes lasted 6 full seasons, before the sidewalls wore out; hadn't lost a stud on either and still plenty of metal sticking out past the rubber. These were ridden from fall to spring, pretty much every day except for deep powder days (and ski days, when I'd drive out of town), and saw a lot of asphalt during the swing seasons. The first two years I rode them I didn't have a car, and used the bike for a five day a week, 22 mile round trip commute.

If you use them lightly and mostly keep them in storage, I wouldn't be surprised if you could get a decade out of them.

This is my 2nd season on Nokian Hakkapeliitta and it seems like they're still brand new. The little rubber hair things that stick out (that's their technical name) are still on the sides.

If you ride on a fair amount of pavement along with ice and snow they will wear out a lot quicker.
I am in the 4th season on my nokian Mount and Ground and they basically look new.
I lost 1 stud but they are all still sharp, and I do hit some pavement (though I do avoid it as much as I can)
on the way to the snowy,icy trails.
On M&G's they do recommend riding the first 20 or so miles on dry pavement to seat the studs.

This is my 4th winter on my Nokian Hakkapeliitta . I do about close to 1000 miles a winter. There is still lots of tread left and the studs hardly seem worn at all. I figure a good 3 more seasons for sure.

I would likely only use these a couple of weeks each year (live in D/FW), so my real question is not how long before they wear out, but how long they would last in storage. What causes dry rot and what can be done to prevent/minimize it?

Also, has anyone used these tires on both 20" folder and a 26" bike and does one perform better than the other on the ice?

I'd go with the 26 inch. Larger diameter means more studs contacting the ice at any given time.

I'd go with the 26 inch. Larger diameter means more studs contacting the ice at any given time.

Not following this logic. I can see where a wider tire would have more contact with the ground, but it doesn't seem like tire diameter would have much effect at all. Assuming of course that the amount of "give" the tire has under weight is the same between the two tire sizes, and I can't think of a reason for that "give" to be different...

Not following this logic. I can see where a wider tire would have more contact with the ground, but it doesn't seem like tire diameter would have much effect at all. Assuming of course that the amount of "give" the tire has under weight is the same between the two tire sizes, and I can't think of a reason for that "give" to be different...

The larger diameter makes a longer contact patch. With proper inflation (probably lower psi on the 26) The entire width will contact the ground on either tire.

Of course ice traction is probably affected more by studded tire design than size. Some have more studs than others, and placement varies. I still think the most ice traction you can get would be found in a 26. (or 700, but that doesn't fit your requirements)

I have 3 or 4 years on my Nokia Mount and Grounds and they are still in good shape. I haven't lost a stud.

Studded tires are one of the best investments I've ever made. They let you ride for months when otherwise you would be looking out the window, waiting for spring. My neighbors make comments about me riding in the winter. They have no idea of all the fun I'm having.

I say go with the 26", because it will ride in and out of ruts more easily. There is a reason why off-road cyclists are switching to 29" bikes - the bigger diameter means that the wheel rolls over irregularities and doesn't get 'stuck in a rut'.

I keep mine (Hakkapeliitta W106) in a dry and unheated storage with no windows. For most of the summer it's dry, relatively cool and dark in there. Come winter, they are outdoors for 3-4 months, regardless of the weather. I think I'm on 7th or 8th season with them, and expect to have several more seasons to go.

Got 4-6 years on my Nokians before the sidewalls started to crack-out. They were kept either in a garage or in a basement during the off-season and out of the sunlight. Really a bummer.