Every Touring Snowmobiler Needs Snowmobile Studs…
Photo credit: Martin Lortz
Related: What About Carbides?
To stud or not to stud, that is the question for your snowmobile tour or snowmobile vacation. Every season the debate continues among trail riders. Some riders say they don’t need any assistance from studs. Others say studs give snowmobiling a bad name by chewing up the pavement. Some say studs can damage your track. And others say studs are only for racers.
Snowmobile Studs – Who Needs to Stud?
I’ll concede that casual, recreational riders that tool around their back forty can probably go studless. Same goes for riders who predominantly play in the powder. But for any trail rider, especially one mounted on a late model or current snowmobile, going unstudded is asking for trouble that’s preventable.
That’s because groomed trails, high tech sleds, faster riders and changeable weather make as serious traction control a must. And that means good carbides up front and good studs underneath for superior stopping capability when needed most. And for controlled cornering to ride your side as you steer thru the turn.
Anyone in doubt about the difference studs make is clear in the video below. Here, my colleague Michel (Micky) Garneau, tech expert at the FCMQ demonstrates stopping with and without studs. In an emergency braking situation, which sled would you rather be riding, studded or studless? Hint: the studded sled stopped in about 1/3 less distance!
Snowmobile Studs – My Experiences
For me, the best traction means Woody’s Traction Products. Woody’s provide that extra measure of control I need for scooting around an icy corner, ascending a slippery hill or coming to a more controlled stop. Yes, during many 10,000- kilometre winters, I may not have always needed assistance from studs.
But I’m always glad to have them. Because I never know when that need is going to happen. I can never predict what the trail surface is going to be like just ahead. Nor can I forecast from one day to the next how conditions will change, or even within the same day.
I’ve ridden in a skim of fresh powder in the morning and hit icy patches the same afternoon. I’ve been caught in ice storms made me wonder if someone had driven a Zamboni ahead of me on the trail. And I’ve travelled ice crossings that were more skating rink than snow trail. And gone into some corners that were sharper than expected and felt the studs grip to keep the sled’s back end in line.
Yes, when I’m on a ride – be it for several hours or several days – studs provide me with extra peace of mind, security and safety. And the confidence to continue because I’m riding on Woody’s traction products that are as state of the art as my Ski-Doo snowmobile.
FYI, I’ve never thrown a properly installed Woody’s stud or had any damage to my track. And after each 10,000-kilometre season, my Woody’s studs are normally still in good shape for next winter. But if any do need touching up, it’s easy with a Biteharder Stud Sharpening Tool.
Snowmobile Studs – Installation
You can get studs installed at a qualified snowmobile dealer or motorsports specialty shop like Accelerated Technologies. Or you can do it yourself – and here’s what you need to know…
My Last Word
When it comes to studs, the bottomline is safety. Studs make your sled safer to ride. More controllable. Easier to handle. And add invaluable stopping ability. Studs also make it safer for every trail rider. So get your studs installed before the snow flies!
Want to know more? View my other Woody’s Product Review.
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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.