How do studs hold up? - Page 2 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

skidoo_magoo · 10-21-2006, 02:29 PM

yeah, well we pulled up into north bay and it was raining. but it got cold, and lakes were frozen and everything but they were completely bare and the trails were ice! i cross a lake on mine-- could do 60+ easy. get on my dad's and at 40 im getting sideways (he doesnt have studs yet) they do push a bit, more noticeable on the rev than mine, but after that yeah he wants some. (a guy had the same exact sled but with 96 studs, thats how we know how it feels0

rgoers · 10-21-2006, 03:40 PM

Definitely a personal preference, and heavily influenced by the trails you ride on. I think I crossed one resevoir last season. I had it wide open. My son followed me across and kept up easily. I'm studded, he isn't. Lakes and such are not a normal part of the trails I ride. I have been on a couple hills where the studs may have helped a bit, but again - nothing my son couldn't handle without studs.

I bought both sleds studded. Changed the track on one, and didn't re-stud. If I ever replace my track, I won't re-stud.

Someone around here mentioned he had an Ice Claw (?) track. Now that's the ideal "studded" track! The studs are built into the paddles, much like you stud a car's snow tire. That design would give you the best of everything. Good grip on ice, and not prone to tear things up. That would be my first choice for a replacement track, but they're a little pricey...

xc60021 · 10-28-2006, 02:36 PM

I had studs on my sled last year and am replacing the track and flap on it. I'd say unless you ride on lakes alot I wouldent get them. Atleast every time I got off a gravel raod It seemed like their was atleast 1 stud stuck into my flap. Eventually at the end of the year a like 3" by 1' section got ripped off the side of my track.

**RJ Gleason** · 10-29-2006, 03:15 AM

There are the screw in carbide tipped ones too. I have thought about using those instead of drilling the track. Just enough to give a little better traction on icy areas (48) , nothing extreme.

JohnDeereSleds · 10-29-2006, 11:50 AM

I used to think that they were the devil.

My Ski-Doo had 96 studs in it when I bought it. It almost made me want to loook elsewhere, but I am glad now. They make the difference on ice.

Yami Lover · 11-16-2006, 01:03 PM

For climbing icy hills, or crossing glare frozen lakes... they are absolutely invaluable... They are a major aid in stopping and control going down an icy hill which is what we have a lot of in the North East, or during LOW SNOW conditions.

For turns I find them to help about 50% of the time and hurt 50% of the time... it's a toss up... but honestly... I say if you are going to experience ice.... you should have them. Especially if you lack experience on a sled.

Spark · 11-16-2006, 05:32 PM

Yep,the first time we went across solid ice without studs,I laughed watchin' my wife doin' doughnuts.She still has a hard time with workin' the clutch.Then I saw the slush and it wasn't funny anymore.96 studs and 6 in of carbides keep us straight.Haven't put 'em on a longevity test.Bought 350 mi on 'em and they look great.Got the stainless studs.little more but was told their sturdier and don't rust up.Backers were a big question all kinds of debates on which to use.Ended up with the square aluminum.Supposed to strengthen the studs.They have a tendency to tear track I've heard if you're crazy reving the sled and they catch.Wanted to get the round plastic backers but was steered away on the premise that they break too easy.That and along with the aluminum round backers,they don't hold the studs solid enough and may loosen.They don't damage the track as much as the square,so the story goes.Any fact and fictions here?

jagermiester · 11-16-2006, 06:51 PM

I put 48 down the middle on the Jag and 96 down the middle on the Rev. Just a little safety for the ice patches. I don't think they are bad if used in moderation. Hmmm, kinda like the material in rj's MSDS.

Yami Lover · 11-17-2006, 01:00 PM

I have Mack's on my 2005 RS Rage... over 1500 miles on them

Last season was tough with limited snow...

No issues...

Spark · 11-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Reminds me,JagerM;I put 'em down the middle too.Damage to wheels from the back of the studsand somethin' about handlin' issues when they're on the outside with only 96 studs.Along with not enough area coverage with that few of studs.Will have a tendency to bend or break when they're spread that far apart.Would have to goto 144 studs iffn' ya want 'em outside the windows.

jagermiester · 11-17-2006, 06:44 PM

I was told to stay inside due to not enuff clearance on the heat exchangers. Made sense after looking at it, I've been wrong before and taken bogus advice before too. Thanks for input tho. Was told also when going to the outside it would have tendancy to bite and push thru the turns also. When I studded it down the center tho, I used a Woody's pattern that gave me 12 scratch lines. I thot that was pretty good for 96 down the middle. Like I said been wrong plenty before.

Spark · 11-17-2006, 07:07 PM

You and me both,buddy!I gotcha beat I'd wager