Updated August 2026
Ask about studded tyres and the answer is usually "get as many studs as you can". That's wrong.
A 402-stud mountain bike tyre weighs 695 grams. A 240-stud commuter tyre weighs 1,350 grams. Stud count tells you nothing about a tyre's weight, its price, or whether it suits your riding. It only tells you how many points of contact the tyre has with ice.
Let's go through what the numbers actually mean and what you should choose.
The short answer
Stud count is chosen according to the surface you ride. For ploughed tarmac and city riding, 100–250 studs are enough. For icy, variable and unploughed surfaces you want 350–400. Studs go on both wheels, not just the front. And most important: fit studded tyres before the first icy morning, not after it.
Comparison: stud counts and weights
Below are the most common studded tyre models sold in Finland and their official stud counts.
| Tyre | Studs | Intended use |
|---|---|---|
| Schwalbe Winter | 120 | Light city riding, occasional ice |
| Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus | 240 | Commuting, strong puncture protection |
| Suomi Tyres Routa | 252 | Commuting and mixed use |
| Suomi Tyres Piikkisika W396 | 396 | Off-road, icy trails |
| Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro (29 x 2.25") | 402 | Off-road, the most demanding ice |
Note that the same model can contain different numbers of studs in different sizes – a wider tyre fits more. Always check the figure for your own size.
Why more studs isn't automatically better
The most common misconception is that stud count measures tyre quality. It doesn't. Stud placement matters more than the total number.
Commuter tyres typically have studs in two rows along the shoulders of the tyre. A smooth rubber strip runs down the centre, which lets the tyre roll lightly on dry tarmac while the studs bite only when the bike leans or slips. That's a sensible arrangement if most of your distance is on ploughed paths and ice is occasional.
On mountain bike tyres the studs cover the whole tread, including the centre. Grip is then consistent at every lean angle, but the tyre rolls more heavily and is noisier on hard surfaces.
In other words: a 120-stud tyre isn't a bad tyre. It's a different tool.
The weight will surprise you
This is where many people get it wrong. The lightweight version of the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro in 29 x 2.25" weighs around 695 grams despite having over 400 studs. The Marathon Winter Plus weighs around 1,350 grams with 240 studs – nearly double.
The difference comes from the stud material and the tyre's construction. The lightest models use aluminium studs with only a tungsten carbide tip, plus a light folding casing. Commuter tyres, meanwhile, have a thick puncture protection layer that adds weight but prevents flats on dark November mornings.
Which is right? If you commute and don't fancy fixing a puncture in freezing conditions, choose the puncture-protected model and accept the weight. If you ride for fitness or off-road, choose the light one.
Is a studded tyre on the front wheel enough?
No. This is the most common and most dangerous economy.
A front wheel slide will almost always put you down, and put you down immediately, so a front stud is by far the most important. But a rear wheel slide costs you grip under braking and when pulling away on a hill, and swings the back end out in corners. On icy descents, a front stud alone also gives a dangerous sense of control that isn't actually there.
Studded tyres on both wheels is the right solution in Finnish conditions.
When should studded tyres go on?
Before the first icy morning – not after it. In practice that means fitting them when night temperatures start dropping below freezing. In southern and central Finland that usually falls around the turn of October and November, earlier further north.
The most dangerous conditions are not deep winter but the first black ice of autumn. The road looks like wet tarmac but is frozen, and the cyclist finds out only when they go down. In deep winter people know to be careful; on a damp October morning they don't.
Studded tyres may be used year-round in Finland. There are no seasonal restrictions as there are for cars.
Bedding in the studs – don't skip this
The first few dozen kilometres on new studded tyres determine how long the studs last. Manufacturers recommend riding around 40 kilometres gently on hard surfaces before venturing onto ice. During this the studs settle into their final position in the rubber.
If you accelerate and brake hard on the first ride, studs can come out. A lost stud can't be replaced, and the tyre loses grip at exactly that point.
E-bike studded tyres have their own requirement
An e-bike is heavier and faster than an ordinary bike, which loads the tyre more. For faster e-bikes there are separately ECE-R75 approved tyres, tested up to 50 kilometres per hour.
Some manufacturers also mark tyres with an e-bike or e25 designation, indicating suitability for electrically assisted use. Check for this marking if you ride an e-bike in winter.
Three other things worth checking
Will the tyre fit the frame? A studded tyre is often wider than a summer tyre, and clearance under the mudguard runs out easily. Measure the gap or ask us.
Lower the pressure. Run noticeably lower pressure in winter than in summer. A larger contact patch means more studs touching the ice at once.
Salt eats drivetrains. Studded tyres keep the bike upright, but road salt destroys the chain and gears. Rinse the bike after salted conditions and lubricate the chain weekly with wet-weather lube.
Frequently asked questions
How many studs should a bike tyre have?
For ploughed tarmac and city riding, 100–250 studs are enough. For icy and unploughed surfaces and for off-road use, 350–400 is recommended.
Is a studded tyre on the front wheel enough?
No. A front stud prevents the worst falls, but a rear wheel slide costs you grip under braking and when setting off uphill. Studded tyres belong on both wheels.
Do studded tyres wear out on tarmac?
They wear slowly. A quality studded tyre lasts several winters, provided the first 40 kilometres or so are ridden gently without hard acceleration or braking.
When should studded tyres be fitted?
When night temperatures start dropping below freezing – in southern and central Finland typically around the turn of October and November. The most dangerous conditions are the first black ice, not deep winter.
Can studded tyres be used year-round?
Yes. There are no seasonal usage restrictions for bicycle studded tyres in Finland.
Does a studded tyre weigh much more than a normal one?
It varies enormously. Light off-road models weigh around 700 grams with over 400 studs, while puncture-protected commuter tyres can weigh 1,350 grams with 240 studs. The weight comes from the construction, not the stud count.
Do studded tyres work in snow?
Studs are designed for ice. In snow, grip comes from the tread pattern and tyre width. If you ride a lot in unploughed snow, choose a wide, aggressively treaded model.
Summary
A studded tyre is the cheapest piece of safety equipment a cyclist can buy for winter – and the only one that genuinely prevents a fall on icy roads. Stud count is not a quality measure but a choice about where you ride.
Choose a moderate stud count for ploughed commutes and a high stud count for icy, variable surfaces. On both wheels. And fitted before the first icy morning.
We're happy to help you choose the right size and model – including whether the tyre will fit your particular bike. We can also fit them for you at our Tampere workshop: huolto@emiliasport.fi or +358 40 048 4311.
Browse our range: studded tyres, winter cycling gear and all tyres.
Read also: Winter cycling and Tyre buying guide.
Written by the Emilia Sport team
Emilia Sport has been a bike shop since 1978. Our staff have up to 45 years of experience in the bicycle trade, and our own workshop in Tampere fits studded tyres every autumn. We're happy to help by phone too: myynti@emiliasport.fi / +358 50 470 4686.
Stud counts and weights are based on manufacturers' published figures. Figures vary by tyre size and model year – check the details for your own size on the product page.
