GeoKrpan

https://www.treehugger.com/bikes/the-...-zip-ties.html

blakcloud

I would hate to get a flat with that setup.

scroca

It would be tough with rim brakes too.

dynaryder

+2

Additionally,anyone notice where the 'studs' are located on that setup? Def not where they'd do the most good(knobbies would keep the zipties in place better).

I paid like $60 for my Nashbar branded Kendas;I've gotten several winters out of them,and they'll go for several more. If I'd used that many zipties for the same number of years,I would've wound up spending more.

GeoKrpan

Ha ha, Slime a must.

GeoKrpan

Another argument for dics breaks.

zonatandem

Let about 10 to 20 PSI out of the tires and you will have a larger tire footprint.

GeoKrpan

Illustration from Sixty Fiver's thread entitled "Making Your Own Studded Tires". Notice where the studs are.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=Studded

dynaryder

Um,yeah. Take another look at the OP pic. The 'heads' of the zipties are almost on the sidewalls.

Also,all respect to Sixty Fiver,but Nokian does it different. As they make tires,and have legal responsibilities,I'll go with theirs(my Kendas are similar to Hakkapeliittas).

ThermionicScott 

There's no way that zipties are digging into ice. One of those dumb ideas that always seems to pop up this time of year, and I wonder how many rim-brake people get suckered into trying it before realizing that their bike isn't going to work.

wolfchild

Another stupid idea. Only a moron would come up with something like that...Plastic zip ties will not bite into ice, only studs will do that.

GeoKrpan

scroca

I tried zip ties about a year ago in an emergency and it was a gigantic failure. By the time I had ridden 4 miles, I think I'd lost almost every one of them -- broken off and fallen by the wayside. Later I would find one of them not more than 10 feet from my departure point.

Now admittedly, they were probably too thin to withstand the stresses, but I'll have to stick with the crowd that recommends a real studded tire, or even studded snow tire. I now use them and with cautious, sensible riding have no problems.

GeoKrpan

Yeah, maybe some stronger zip ties would have worked better. I have noticed that zip ties from the 99 cent store aren't as good zip ties from the hardware store.

PS How about using steel zip ties?

scroca

Steel zip ties!!!! That's hilarious. Now changing a tire becomes impossible without calling a welder!!!!

GeoKrpan

You mean plasma cutter.

azgreg

Hose clamps are obviously the answer.

vanttila

I've got to imagine there's a nicer way of saying that. I'm sure you've experimented with all kinds of "stupid ideas" before. Sure most of them don't work, but hey, every once in a while you might just discover something brilliant.
Though, admittedly, this one wasn't one of the brilliant ones.

vanttila

The difference is that Sixty Fiver uses screws instead of studs which barely poke out past the tire's surface. I don't think having screws poke out through the middle of the tire tread would work well...

erig007

You just need to carry some pliers. The problem is that the head of steel zip tie doesn't bite into ice.

Rather than plastic zip ties the best solution i have found is to use stainless steel make-a-clamp clamps with stainless steel bolts/screws (without the tightening screw as shown below)


Here are few pros:
-no need to remove the tires to install it
-cost only 30$ (clamps + screws)
-reusable/removable
-allow easy dismount when you have a flat
-possible to change each stud independently
-doesn't require any extra tire
-can be removed from your summer tires at any time so that you can ride all year with the same tires (no extra cost for winter tires)
-can bite into ice as much as commercial winter tires
-as durable as commercial winter tires
-you can choose which studs to install on it, the length etc...
-i used the extra clamps to make toe straps

And few cons:
-extra pound weight over winter tires
-requires the right tire width to fit well (works well with mines that are 40" wide)
-only 2 rows of studs (there could be ways to install some in the middle)
-same problem than with zip ties, doesn't work without the proper brakes
-requires some room around your tires
-very hazardous if one clamp fail while moving at full speed (especially without fenders at the front while turning)

tsl

Above all else, what this demonstrates is a misunderstanding of the purpose of studs on a two-wheeled vehicle.

The studs aren't there there to keep you from getting stuck, although that's a nice side benefit. I can hop off my bike and carry it.

No, the studs are there to keep the wheels from sliding out sideways from beneath you.

Even if the zip tie method actually improved traction without adverse effects on braking or flat repair, they do nothing at all to keep you upright since they're working in the wrong direction.

erig007

Nothing prevent people that go for zip ties to add extra heads around the middle of the tire to add sideways grip. (though this won't last very long). Even without extra heads the width between the heads acting as studs can be adjusted easily. I found the grip to be pretty efficient and didn't experienced sideways sliding when i tried it. Even more most zip ties brake when the wheel start sliding sideways or when you turn which show that they brake when the head bite into the ground which is what they are used for.
With the make-a-clamp method there is no problem since there is still some rubber in contact with the ground in the middle of the tire from the empty squares that are on the clamps, the studs going in the round holes. And for those that want extra studs in the middle then another clamp layer shifted will do the trick.

tsl

I call BS. Pics or it's BS.

Ghost Ryder

Screw zip ties!
The "Fred" Flintstone approach is your answer!
Pair this rig, with a set of shoe spikes, or golf shoes, & you're good to go!

erig007

Here are 2 different solutions. It is the kind of thing that you have to test it by yourself