OTHB

Just got a new set of Nokian studded tires, was going to try and ride my 30 miles on pavement to set the studs, never got around to it. Now the snow is falling: can I get away with riding on plowed streets to set the studs? Does it have to be bare pavement?

Also, the tires are 42 mm 700c, can I get away with using 28mm - 42mm tubes? LBS doesn't have anything bigger.

Thank you very much for any thoughts or tips you may have.

Juha

I didn't follow the protocol with my Nokians (W106s), no problems. I'd wager a guess plowed pavement will be ok.

crhilton

Go ride now .

And yes, I think your tubes will work. You're within their supposed range.

OTHB

Doh! Slip of the keyboard, I meant 28 - 32 mm on the tube size.

tsl

I've used 28-32 tubes on my 35mm W106s for years now with no problems. I don't know if I'd go to 42, however. Try it and see. The worst thing that could happen is you'll get a flat.

As for "setting the studs", back in the day when I used to stud car tires, we'd tell the customers the same thing. Basically, it was to keep the customer from spinning the wheels or doing cowboy stuff until after the rubber lube wore away. (The studs and holes have to be lubricated to insert the studs.) No cowboy stuff for the first few miles and you'll be fine, no matter what surface you ride on.

OTHB

That's advice I can follow easily, my cowboy days are long gone. I'll let you know if I blow the tube.

mhifoe

After your first couple of rides, examine your tyres to check if any studs are escaping. If they are, you should push them back in with a pair of pliers.

OTHB

45 miles this morning, studs look good and no flats. Thanks everyone!

rob!

The tubes can stretch, you should be fine. It was a common trend a few years ago to run 16" tubes in 20" BMX wheels because they were lighter.

3alarmer 

The essential problem with running undersized tubes is
that they will become brittle faster. Take two identical
rubber bands. Place one of them on a book or something
else to stretch it out to close to the limits of its elastic
capacity. Leave the two of them on a corner of your
bookshelf or somewhere out of the way for a couple
of months.

The one around the book is your inner tube in the over
sized tire. You're good for quite a while, but were I you,
I'd be searching the internet for some tubes of the
correct dimensions.

Respectfully,
Mike Larmer

HappyStuffing

I tend to use undersized tubes myself. Seems to work fine. They are lighter too

I find that i will puncture the tube before the tube will get old (and brittle) enough to fail anyway.

OTHB

Yes, I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry, and got some Quality 35mm - 45 mm tubes. Not really keen on changing a tire with temps in the teens and twenties. Thanks for the tip.