I just ordered a pair of unstudded 45NRTH Wrathchilds from Mike’s Bike Shop in Moncton. They have a functional ecommerce store, so that’s pretty convenient. They were $185 each. I then ordered a set of 300 aluminum body/carbide tip studs from Amazon, and I’m going to stud them with a custom pattern this weekend. My plan is to run the middle and shoulder row on the back and an all-over pattern on the front. All told, I’m in for $450 with shipping, which isn’t bad for good rubber, but ridiculous when you think about it.
The Blizzaks on my truck cost less than fat bike tires. This is insane.
To my surprise, the ground controls I studded with grip studs have been holding up fine, I really expected the studs to rip out, but I haven’t lost one single stud, and most of the riding on them have been on just frozen ground and rocks.
My self-studded Wrathchilds have been performing equally well. Adding a couple rows of 45NRTH XL studs made a big difference in traction over the regular carbide studs though.
After getting a couple hundred km on my Bud and Lous I absolutely love them. They have a scary amount of grip and are not as slow as I exspected them to be. I plan to look after them well by avoiding granite. They where used when I got them and I am missing a few studs but only in the rear. Havn’t lost a single one in the front. I will gladly buy a new rear when this one won’t hold grip studs any more and do it my self.
Seems the wrong season to be talking snow and ice traction, but I’m planning ahead for once. I’ve heard good things about the grip studs, the only con being the cost. I was thinking to buy a 1000-count carton if I could find enough people who want to go in on a box. Apparently can stud a pair of 4.8" Minions with under 200 studs. Are there four others looking to get a 200-count of grip studs? Price per doesn’t drop a lot, but every bit helps.
I have yet to secure my studded tire options for the upcoming season, sadly… but still considering buying a carton to split between folks, if anyone was interested to go in on the deal. Not a huge price drop, but every bit counts these days.
I have not used the knock-offs, but I have the real Grip Studs. AMAZING traction. Better than any standard studded tire. If memory serves I put 100 per tire in 4" Vee Missions and they crawled everywhere. Better traction than fully studded Dilly 5s . . . this was proven one day when me and a buddy went for a spin.