{"id":61411,"date":"2025-12-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vmsport.fi\/?p=61411"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:12:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T13:12:52","slug":"can-studded-tyres-be-used-all-year-round-in-the-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vmsport.fi\/en\/voiko-nastarenkaita-kayttaa-koko-vuoden-pyorassa\/","title":{"rendered":"Can studded tyres be used on a bike all year round?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You should not use studded tyres on your bike all year round. Even if technically possible, summer use will quickly wear out the studs, reduce ride comfort and increase noise. Studded tyres are specifically designed for winter conditions, where they offer the best grip on ice and snow.<\/p>\n

What is the purpose of studded tyres and how do they work?<\/h2>\n

Studded tyres are designed to improve the grip of your bike on slippery winter surfaces. Small metal studs are attached to the surface of the tyre, which grip ice and hard snow to provide a secure grip.<\/p>\n

Pins are usually made of Of hard steel or tungsten<\/strong>, and are embedded firmly in the rubber material of the tyre. A standard studded tyre has between 100 and 300 studs, depending on the size and model of the tyre. The pins are strategically placed around the tread for maximum grip.<\/p>\n

The principle of operation is based on the fact that the pins break through the layer of ice and stick to the substrate. This creates significantly better grip than conventional tyres on slippery surfaces. In soft snow, the studs also help prevent the wheel from skidding.<\/p>\n

What happens when studded tyres are used in summer conditions?<\/h2>\n

In summer conditions, studded tyres behave badly and cause many problems. On dry asphalt, studs wear quickly and cause extra noise, while on wet roads the braking distance can even increase.<\/p>\n

On hot asphalt pins wear out very quickly<\/strong>, because the hard metal surface is constantly rubbing against the rough road surface. This leads to rapid shortening or even complete removal of the studs. At the same time, an unpleasant metallic noise is produced, which disturbs both the cyclist and other road users.<\/p>\n

On wet asphalt, the situation is no better. In fact, studs can actually reduce grip by reducing the contact area between the rubber and the road. This can lead to longer braking distances and a less stable feeling when cornering.<\/p>\n

Driving comfort also suffers significantly. The studs cause vibration and uneven rolling, which makes driving uncomfortable on longer journeys.<\/p>\n

How quickly do studded tyres wear out in all-year-round use?<\/h2>\n

In all-season use, studded tyres wear 3-5 times faster than in winter use alone. During the summer months, studs can wear out in just a few hundred kilometres, whereas they would normally last for several winter seasons.<\/p>\n

Winter use quality studded tyres<\/strong> should last around 2000-4000 kilometres depending on driving style and conditions. Constant abrasion of summer asphalt can reduce this lifetime to as little as 500-1000 kilometres.<\/p>\n

There are several factors that contribute to the loosening of studs. Hot asphalt softens the tyre rubber, allowing the pins to move in their mounting points. Hard braking and acceleration increase the stress, as do tight turns. Driving style also has an effect - aggressive driving wears out the studs faster.<\/p>\n

In practice, studded tyres lose their effectiveness as soon as the 20-30% studs are significantly worn or loose. After this point, they no longer provide sufficient grip in winter conditions, but still cause inconvenience in summer use.<\/p>\n

When should you change your studded tyres off and on?<\/h2>\n

You should change to studded tyres when the temperature drops permanently below +7 degrees Celsius and off when the temperature stays above +7 degrees Celsius in spring. This way you get the best out of both types of tyres and maximise their life.<\/p>\n

Autumn the right time to change<\/strong> is typically in late October or early November depending on weather conditions. It is important to follow the weather reports and change your tyres before the first night frosts and morning frosts become more common.<\/p>\n

In the spring, the change back to summer tyres will take place in late March or early April. Signs of when to change include melting snow, a sustained rise in daytime temperatures to above zero and a reduction in the risk of icing.<\/p>\n

Practical tips for identifying the optimal time to switch:<\/p>\n