I rode a set of Nokian studded tires for three winters, no wear on the studs. I learned: (1) studs are tungsten carbide, which has a Mohs hardness of about 9 (

I rode a set of Nokian studded tires for three winters, no wear on the studs. I learned: (1) studs are tungsten carbide, which has a Mohs hardness of about 9 (similar to sapphire) (2) most important thing: giant, wide tires will float on the snow and are not as safe as a narrower, touring tire with studs -- the narrower tire won't float on the snow and will give you control