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As someone who loves to ride my bike all year round, I’m always a bit wary of hammering it on my bike when the conditions are snowy and icy. The number of times my wheel has slipped out from underneath me is too many to count.
Switching to a fat bike has helped a lot with this, but there are still plenty of occasions where I need extra grip when riding. I decided to invest in some studded tires to help maintain my grip on the ice and thought I would share with you the best fat bike studded tires that I found.
Interested? Then read on…
Recommended Studded Fat Bikes Tires
Vee Tire Snow Avalanche Studded Fat Bike Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 26”
- Tire Width = 4.8”
- Threads per Inch = 120
- Studs = 240
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
What Are Studded Bike Tires?
Generally, with bike tires, you are looking to strike a balance between low rolling resistance (such as road tires) and getting enough grip on the surface.
When riding in wet conditions or taking off-road tracks, road tires don’t provide enough grip, so you opt for tires with a deeper tread and large “knobs” on the sides. For most of the year, these tires will work perfectly fine for most conditions you will face
But what about when the conditions are icy and extra slippy?
Enter the studded bike tire!
Studded tires look very similar to super “grippy” mountain bike tires, with deep treads, but they also contain small metal studs in the larger knobs on the tire. These studs are designed to cut into the icy surface better than your normal tire, meaning you will get a lot more grip on the surface when riding.
Much better than the slow and steady approach!
Are Studded Bike Tires Worth It?
To get the most of your studded bike tires, you should use them as your primary tire when the conditions are icy.
In order to decide whether they are worth it or not, you will need to consider how long the conditions will be icy where you will be doing most of your riding.
Studded tires are definitely a worthwhile investment if you will regularly be riding in icy conditions, as the studs will offer far more grip on the surface than normal bike tires.
That said, if you will only be riding in these conditions occasionally, you will need to consider the balance between the frequency of use and the cost of having an additional set of tires lying around gathering dust for the majority of the year. If you are infrequently riding in snow, a good set of year-round fat bike tires might be a better use of your money.
How Many Studs Should A Bike Tire Have
The number of studs your fat bike tire should have will depend on how much grip you would like to get in the icy conditions.
Studded bike tires will have somewhere between 150 to 300 studs per tire. The more studs you have the more grip you will get on the surface, but also the heavier the tire will be.
If you are less concerned about the weight of your tire (and therefore the weight of your bike) the amount of extra grip you will get with a 300 stud tire may make the investment worthwhile.
However, if you would like to get the additional grip with less weight, go for a tire with a lower number of studs.
Best Fat Bikes Studded Tires
Vee Tire Snow Avalanche Studded Fat Bike Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 26”
- Tire Width = 4.8”
- Threads per Inch = 120
- Studs = 240
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The Vee Tire Snow Avalance Studded Fat Bike Tire is a really good choice for those who want a high-quality tire at a very good price.
These tires have mass-market appeal, designed to fit a 26” wheel size. With a width of 4.8”, these are super wide winter tires, which will provide an incredible amount of grip in snowy conditions.
They also boast 240 carbide-tip studs per tire. Whilst not the highest amount on the list, this is a perfectly adequate amount of studs per tire and will be sufficient in most icy conditions you encounter.
The deep centre tread and large side lugs make this tire a force to be reckoned with in the snow, as they will eat up the soft surface with ease, giving you a really fun time when out on your ride.
With a TPI of 120 threads per inch, these tires are incredibly durable and will provide many years of fun and safe winter riding.
With all these features packed into a very affordable studded fat bike tire, these are simply the best fat bike studded tires you can buy.
45NRTH Dillinger 5 Studded Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 27.5”
- Tire Width = 4.5”
- Threads per Inch = 60
- Studs = 258
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The 45NRTH Dillinger5 Studded Tire is a high-quality fat bike studded tire.
Designed for wheels sized 27.5” x 4.5”, this tire is a good choice for those looking for a fat bike tire that will give them more grip in the snow and ice.
With 258 carefully positioned studs, these tires will dig into the wintery riding conditions with ease, providing a superior grip to non-studded tires.
The knobby tread pattern will also help to provide extra grip in the snow and these tires also come with tall, braced side lugs to make corning less of a scary experience.
With a TPI of 60, these tires are fairly strong, though not as strong as other tires. They should be fine for most winter riding.
All in all these tires as a good choice for those who want a solid winter fat bike tire.
45NRTH Wrathchild Studded Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 26”
- Tire Width = 4.6”
- Threads per Inch = 120
- Studs = 252
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The 45NRTH Wrathchild Studded Tire is a durable winter fat bike studded tire.
Designed for wheels sized 26” x 4.6”, this tire is ideal for most fat tire bike wheels.
Boasting 252 extra-large carbide studs, you get the benefit of super grippy tires without adding too much more weight to your wheel. They are also very durable and easy to replace.
These tires come with an aggressive tread pattern, with deep centre lugs and super tall side lugs. This means you get a tire that is going to grip the surface with ease and should keep you on your fat bike even in the most slippy of conditions.
Added to these already great features is a high TPI count of 120 threads per square inch. This is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to the durability of a tire.
Whilst these tires are very expensive, you’re pretty much looking at one of the best fat bike studded tires on the market.
45NRTH Wrathlord Studded Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 26”
- Tire Width = 4.2”
- Threads per Inch = 120
- Studs = 300
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The 45NRTH Wrathlorde Studded Tire is another highly durable studded fat bike tire and could easily be the best on the market.
Designed for wheels sized 26” x 4.2”, these tires are a little narrower than some of the other options available, but they will fit most fat bikes on the market.
Boasting 300 extra-large carbide studs, these tires will carve their way through even the slickest of icy surfaces, meaning far less slipping and sliding for you.
Like all 45NRTH tires, you also get the highly aggressive tread pattern, designed to carve through the snow and ice with ease. The tall lugs on the side will also help you when cornering and stop your bike from slipping out from underneath you.
With a TPI of 120, these are high quality and very durable tires, designed to take on rough surfaces with ease.
These tires are top of the range and you get what you pay for. Whilst they are expensive, these tires will last a long time.
Terrene Cake Eater Flat-Tip Studded Fat Bike Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 27.5”
- Tire Width = 4.0”
- Threads per Inch = 33
- Studs = 180
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The Terrene Cake Eater Fat Bike Tires is another good choice for those who want affordable winter tires to keep them riding when the weather gets cold.
Made for 27.5” x 4” wheels, these tires will fit most larger fat bikes and will provide a great balance between surface area and speed.
With 180 studs per tire, these tires will provide less grip than others on the list. However, the lower number of studs will help to reduce the weight of the bike overall as more studs means a heavier bike.
The tread on these tires is fairly shallow, meaning that this tire has been built for speed in slippy conditions. These smaller knobs mean you have lower rolling resistance and as a result can ride much faster than the super grippy tires will allow.
The TPI of 33 with the tires is on the low side, however, this should be sufficient if you are an infrequent winter cyclist and simply want a tire to help you safely get from A to B.
For the budget-conscious, occasional cyclist, this is a good choice of tire.
45NRTH Dillinger Studded Tire
Key Features:
- Wheel Size = 26”
- Tire Width = 4.0”
- Threads per Inch = 60
- Studs = 240
- Tread Type = Knobby
- Bead Type = Folding
The 45NRTH Dillinger Studded Tire is a great choice for those looking for a decent fat bike studded tire that doesn’t cost the earth.
Designed for wheels sized 26” x 4”, these tires are quite narrow compared to the other tires on the market, however, they are still firmly sat in the “fat tire” sizing.
The 240 carefully positioned studs will ensure that your bike cuts through the snow and ice really well.
The centre tread on these tires has been designed to provide a fast-rolling tire, meaning that you will not only get a great grip, but also a chance to really put your foot down and get a good speed going.
With a TPI of 60, these tires have a decent amount of durability and should be good for riding for a few years.
A good choice for those who need a set of tires to see them through their winter riding expeditions without breaking the bank.
Fat Bike Studded Tire FAQs
How Long Do Studded Bike Tires Last?
The amount of time that your studded bike tires will last depends largely on how you are using them and how many miles you are putting in on them.
If you only use your studded tires in the correct conditions, you should be able to get somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 miles of winter riding out of them. This number will fall if you use them in unsuitable conditions.
For the average rider, 2,000 to 3,000 miles will equate to somewhere between 3-6 years.
Can You Ride Studded Bike Tires In The Summer?
Studded tires are designed primarily for use in icy conditions, but can then be used in the summer.
Yes, you can use studded bike tires in the summer, however, this will simply wear down the studs quicker than if they are used on ice. So whilst you can use them, you probably shouldn’t.
Riding studded tires on firmer surfaces, such as pavements and roads, when there is no ice means that instead of your bike riding on the tire, with the studs penetrating the surface below, the wheel will ride mainly on the studs. This will eventually wear the studs down and make them less effective in icy conditions and reduce the life of the tire.
To find out more about riding your fat bike on the road, check out or guide Can You Ride Fat Bikes On The Road?
Do Studded Tires Help In Mud?
Studded tires are designed with deep treads and large knobs on the side for extra traction in slippery conditions.
Due to the deep tread, studded tires perform very well in mud, however, this is more to do with the tread pattern and the knobs and not because of the studs in the tires.
As a result, you could save yourself some money by simply investing in some tires with deeper treads, which will be cheaper than studded tires.
Can You Add Studs To Fat Bike Tires?
If you have a certain brand of fat bike tires that you love, but they don’t have a studded tire option, then you are probably wondering whether you can turn them into a set of studded fat bike tires for icy riding.
Well, the answer is yes, you can add studs to a fat bike tire. Taking the DIY approach is a great way to allow you to stick with your preferred tire and get an enhanced grip when cycling in icy conditions. However, the process for doing so can be a bit tricky.
To start with, you are going to need a tire that has a fairly deep tread pattern and knobs. This is because the studs don’t go through the tire (as this could lead to a puncture) but instead sit in the bike tread and knobs.
You also need to get yourself a decent set of studs, such as these ones that are available from Amazon.
Once you have your parts, you will need to screw the studs into the tires at even intervals. You should aim to have them near the centre of the tire to provide maximum grip when riding and at even intervals as well.
The number of studs that you should add will depend on the ideal weight of the tire and your patience! Aim for around 150 to get at least some benefit from the studs.
Can You Stud Any Bike Tire?
The answer to this one is simply no, you can’t stud any tire. As the studs sit in the tread of the tire and not through the tire, there needs to be enough depth in the tire for the stud to be inserted without penetrating the whole tire.
For more snow and mountain bike tires, you will generally be ok adding studs to your tires. However, slick tires, such as road bike tires, are trickier to do this with as they are generally thinner and you won’t have anything to insert the studs into other than the main part of the tire.
Are Fat Bikes Good In Snow?
With the extra-wide tires providing a larger surface area, fat bikes are great at riding in the snow and a lot of fun too.
With the right set of tires, fat bikes are really fun for riding in the snow as they are less likely to slip around compared to other bikes. This is because the extra surface area helps to provide extra grip in the slippy conditions and allows the tires to dig into the snow easier than thinner tires.
The extra width also makes you feel more like you are riding on top of the snow rather than trying to ride through it as you would do on a bike with narrow tires. The result is that you will be able to go faster with less effort compared to other bikes.
Are Fat Bikes Good For Winter Commuting?
If you will be commuting throughout the winter months, a fat bike would be a great investment.
Whilst fat bikes can be sluggish on long commutes when the weather is fine when it becomes icy, slippy and snowy, fat bikes are really good machines for tackling these elements with ease.
I can’t count the number of times that I have felt like Bambi when riding a road bike in the winter!
The larger surface area of the wheels provide you with extra grip and make it less likely that you will slide about when riding. With a set of studded tires, you also feel extra reassured and can ride with confidence.
Summary
Thanks for reading this guide. I hope have found your perfect set of fat bike studded tires. In my opinion, the Vee Tire Snow Avalanche Studded Fat Tire is the best on the market, as they are feature-packed and really affordable.
If you are yet to invest in your first fat tire bike, then check out one of our guides below to find a great fat bike within your budget.
Best Fat Tire Bike Under $1000
Andy is an avid cyclist who enjoys nothing more than a ride out in the hills. Competing in track, road, time trial and mountain bike events in the past, he prefers slower rides out with his family these days.
