Last Updated on June 24, 2023 by Emmanuel

Riding a mountain bike in winter requires a lot of determination and skill; snowy trails are challenging to conquer and can cause massive damage to your safety.
One should also equip his mountain bike with suitable winter tires that efficiently deal with snowy and icy conditions.
This blog post examines the topic thoroughly to help those addicted to winter mountain bike tires ride in the depths of winter better.
Table of Contents
Winter mountain biking.
Winter mountain biking allows you to explore nature during colder months by navigating the snow-covered trails while keeping your balance on icy terrain.
If you plan to explore nature this winter, consider equipping your MTB with fat tires enabling you to hit the trails safely.
High-performance winter tires enable riders to navigate even the most extreme winter conditions safely.
These tires increase grip, reduce drag, and help keep your footing in freezing temperatures; choose the ideal ones to burn calories while enjoying rolling on icy surfaces and hardpacked snow.
What bike tires are suitable for snow?
Different winter tire options exist; most use hardpacked snow-studded tires that provide enough traction to spin your wheels on a glare of ice.
If the type of surface is mixed and wet, pick standard winter tires with long knobs that provide a good grip on the surface.
Be aware that winter tires are generally heavier than regular tires, and experiment with the pressure by setting the PSI low.
These tires’ manufacturing requires proper material to suit snow riding. They have long knobs and tread pattern designs and other specific features.
When should I put snow tires on my bike?
Equip your bicycle with winter tires when the snow emerges; they give you better traction when rolling on snow and ice.
The temperature drops dramatically when the snow emerges in the Northern Hemisphere from December through February.
- Those in the US or Canada can put snow tires on their bike at the end of the beginning of the year.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, riders equip their bicycles with snow tires from June through August.
- Feature your bike with winter tires when the snow appears outside your window.
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Are winter tires with studs better?
The ideal tires to ride a mountain bike on ice or hardpacked snow must feature studs because ice and hardpacked snow are slippery.
Choose suitable ones to dig into the ice so that every pedal effectively transfers into forwarding movement. Stud tires puncture ice to provide a better grip.

Can I add studs to bike tires?
The high price of studded tires makes most riders think twice before purchasing them; manufacturers spend a lot of money designing them.
Riders on a budget or those who want to save money can add studs to their tires; check if yours have long knobs tread pattern design.
Besides, ensure each knob is long enough to hold a stud, and you don’t need new tires to make the process work.
The process is money-saving because you will spend approximately a quarter of the new studded tires’ cost.
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How much does it cost to stud fat bike tires?
Doing the process yourself without the help of a professional minimizes costs; you can also purchase a new pair.
Buying a new pair of studdable fat bike tires and stud them will still make you spend less than investing in pre-studded tires.
A bag of studs typically costs around $40; you can use the kit to stud for up to four tires.
How many studs should a fat bike tire have?
The studs on a tire vary from 150 to 3000. More studs mean increasing weight, demanding more pedaling effort to propel the bike forward.
If you primarily ride on mixed and wet trails, fewer studs on each tire are sufficient for your mountain bike.
Besides, you can use more stud options per tire for riding on ice and hard-packed snow; choose your studded tires according to your needs.
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Can I run studded bike tires in the summer?
You can; the following drawbacks will help you to make the correct choice:
- Studded tires make unpleasant sounds on pavements and rocks.
- These tires provide more friction than rock traction; they don’t dig into stones.
- Stud tires are costly and don’t suit non-winter trails.
- You must swap the tires with the regular ones for summer riding.
In conclusion, use suitable tires for appropriate weather time for better performance in terms of traction and weight.
Final Thoughts.
Riding in winter requires a bike equipped with specialized tires; they provide good traction on snow, ice, and muddy terrain.
You won’t have trouble finding suitable ones at the right price; visit your nearest bicycles and spare parts store.
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That’s what this article addressing those addicted to winter mountain bike tires can tell. We wish you the best in your cycling.
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