What are tyre socks and why do I need them?

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TYRE SOCK: What are they?
The tyre sock is a cover made for the rubber sole of your jumping stilt foot. This “sock” is usually made from bike / car tyre which is cut to fit and then secured with jubilee clips and / or tape.

The picture above shows KiyaBob & gillybert in action with their Pro-Jumps which have been modded with tyre socks! (Please click picture to enlarge)

TYRE SOCK: The inventor, History and why they were created:
The Tyre sock was invented by a Powerbocker Bill Cicio in Early 2006 when he realised the rubber sole on Powerbocks are likely to wear down and replacement feet would become expensive. His invention will definitely be added in Powerbocking history as one of the most useful, easy to accomplish and innovative modifications.

With time the tyre sock has evolved with PinHead69 creating the first “Tie up tyre sock” and Jason creating the world’s first quick release "hoofies" and "studdies"

TYRE SOCK: How to make your own tyre sock:

Materials needed
1 bike tyre, 2 x 3” Jubilee clips & Duct tape.

Tools needed
Stanley knife, wire cutters, pliers, flat-head screwdriver


Step by Step guide


Credit to Bill C (Inventor) for Pictures / Procedure. See HERE for original article. Also take a look at www.Powerbockresources.com for more great tips from Bill C.

STEP 1 (Picture 1)
Buy a child's bicycle tyre (size 12-1/2 x 2-1/2) – these can be brought in England from any bike shop.   

STEP 2 (Picture 2)
Using a pointed knife (Like a Stanley or X-acto knife), puncture the tyre rubber and cut the tyre into two halves.   
Note: The tyre rims contain a steel wire which you will not be able to cut through using the knife.

STEP 3: (Picture 3)
Using wire snips, cut the steel wire in the tyre rims to separate the tyre halves.   You will wind up with two pieces of tyre, each approximately 21 inches long.

STEP4: (Picture 4)
Take a tyre half and fold it over the front of the footpad.  Mark where the tyre hits the front of the footpad and pinch the rim wires so the tyre becomes shaped like a clamshell.  Then, open the 3" metal band clamp and place it around the metal foot arm, above the tyre sock.
 
STEP 5: (Picture 5)
Slide the metal band down over the tyre sock to a position just above the original rubber footpad.  You can use a screwdriver to pry the band over the tyre treads.

STEP 6: (Picture 6)
Push the bend in the tyre tightly up against the front of the rubber footpad.   Tighten the band clamp with either a flat-head screwdriver or 8mm rachet wrench.

Repeat steps 4 through 6 for second PowerBock.

* Some people attach Duct tape to secure the tyre sock on.


ALTERNATIVE METHOD: (Picture 7)
An alternate way to apply the tyresocks is to fold the wire rim of the tyre inward before wrapping the tyre over the foot pad.  This method may make it a little more difficult to pull the tyresock tight before clamping, but it provides a more finished look for your footpads.  Covering the metal clamp with black tape completes the look.

***UPDATED METHOD FROM BILL C***

I have actually modified my tiresocks further now.  I have cut off the wire rim so that the tire width is equal to the hoof width.  The tire is stretched tightly over the hoof and clamped in place as before.  Removing the wire rim allows the tiresock to have better contact against the hoof - but it also allows the tiresock to slide side to side.  So to avoid any lateral slippage of the tiresock, I tack the tiresock to both the front vertical face and rear-most part of the hoof with two short flat-headed nails in both locations.  (I had tried using a staple but it didn't work.)  The small nails into the rubber hoof work great to keep the tiresock in place.  Kind of like shoeing a horse.

That's it you have made your tyre socks!
Credit to Bill C (Inventor) for Pictures / Write up. See HERE for original article. Also take a look at www.Powerbockresources.com for more great tips from Bill C.

Other types of Tyre Sock

*** PinHead69's Tie Up Tyre Sock ***
PinHead69 created the world's first Tie Up Tyre sock. (See Picture Below)

PinHead69 developed on Bill C's original ideal and created a sock which could be removed more easily.
Click HERE to see a tutorial on how to make your own tie up socks.

*** Jason's Quick Release "Hoofies" and "Studdies" ***
Inspired by PinHead69's "Tie Up" tyresock Jason created another style of sock, using a DIFFERENT material to bike tyres. The material used is long lasting, grips better and can be used on various surfaces. He developed his original idea of Hoofies and later created "Studdies" which incorporate studs into the design and are ideal to use on grass. Jason now sells the material as well as a whole kit to make your own "Hoofies" and "Studdies"

HOOFIES





Click HERE to buy material used to make "Hoofies".

Click HERE to buy "Hoofies".
Click HERE for "Hoofies" fitting instructions

HOOFIES MK2
Jason has modified his original idea to work with the new bolt-on feet that the latest versions of pro-jumps come with...



Click HERE to buy  "Hoofies MK2" and fitting instructions.

STUDDIES





Click HERE to buy "Studdies".

Ricc later modified Jason’s hoofie design, using normal tyre material. Ricc called his version the “Quick-Sox” and later developed his design to incorporate a cleated version to use on grass which is calls “Grip-Sox”

Alternative by Bbmthbloke - The trainer Sock!
In early 2007, Q (Bbmthbloke) discovered an alternative way to get grip and reduce wear on your rubber sole. The idea was accidently stumbled upon by Q who originally thought he got a good deal on e-bay  £6 for converse hi tops. Turned out they were kids size 11!

But when he started to make conventional tyre sox, cutting thru tyre, he broke the blade, which went spinning past his head, so he thought, sod that! And tried the trainers, more in hope than expectation.

But he found the canvas stretched and really gripped the hoof OK. Since then he has tried adult trainers, but found then horribly 'squidgy'. The thin kiddy converse one is right, needs to be hi top or slip off.

Here's a picture of Q's "Trainer Sock"


Discussion Topics on tyre socks
Below are threads where the Tyre Sock has been discussed previously by members:
1. http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=789.0
2. http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=601.0
3. http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1102.0
4. http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=2024
5.http://www.projumpforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3069

If you have any additional questions - Please ask in THE "UNLOCKED" TYRE SOCK MOD THREAD in the modifications board.