Supplies

• You'll need: one pair of used tires, one box of at least 100 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch flat-head wood screws, two used inner tubes or Mr. Tuffy tire liners, duct tape and an electric screwdriver.
  
  The recommended tire width for a studded tire is 1.95 inches. A fatter studded tire at low pressure will offer more grip on hard ice, while a thinner tire will perform better in deep snow.
  
  If you have resources for only one tire, place it on the front wheel. The added traction and improved steering will reduce the chance of a fall. A rear tire with good lugs should provide sufficient propulsion in moderately slippery conditions, but for very icy conditions, both front and rear studs may be necessary.
  
  

Getting Started

• Start by deciding how many studs you want and where they will go. More studs will create better traction but also more rolling resistance. Depending on the conditions you expect to encounter, the minimum number of studs should be no fewer than 40 or 50 per tire. Mark the location of your studs with chalk on the inside of the tire.
  
  If you plan to use the tire on dry pavement with only occasional icy spots, consider leaving a center line free of studs. Keeping the tire inflated to its maximum pressure will keep most of your studs out of the way except during cornering, where traction is more important.
  
  Studded tires are noisy on dry pavement, so when they fall silent, this is your cue that you are riding on ice.
  
  

Fastening Studs

• Wearing gloves, drill each screw through the tire from the inside. Try to anchor your studs in the lugs of the tire, rather than the thinner walls.
  
  Cut the old inner tube lengthwise into 1-inch-wide strips and apply it to the inside of the tire using duct tape to reduce the risk of punctures from the screw heads. Tire pressure should be between 30 and 45 pounds per square inch. At lower pressure than this, flats become problematic.
  
  While homemade studded tires are more prone to flats than commercial ones, and may become dull over time, they can be re-studded repeatedly and should last several years.