I going to be studding a new track soon and was wondering if there is any difference between the sqaure stud backers and the round ones. I was told that the by using the square backers the studs tend to rip out easier, not sure if this is true or not and just wanted some of your opinions.

Thanks everyone

Andy M

I never had any issues with studs ripping out with square backers, but have had several rip out with round, so I wouldn't necessarily agree with that.
I do find it harder to put the square ones in straight. Not an issue with round ones.
Stay away from plastic. Too easy to crack if you over tighten them.

I recommend the double backers... Very strong... very few tear outs. There is no way the square ones will rip out any different than the round ones...not if they are installed correctly. makes no difference... personal preference only.

I think the key with the square backers, is the importance of getting them straight so as not to have a corner able to dig into the track.

That's what I've been told could lead to ripping.

That being said, my sled came with round and I haven't had an issue.

I go for the round It goes un a round track .

square or round or aluminum or plastic.i"ve not seen much different. only thing about plastic there are cheap ones and good ones. the ones i use are bigger and have a x renforcement on them going from corner. never lost any. i will tell you i had 102 studs on my fire cat. which is the same as 96 on a 121" track. i increased the hp last year and ripped out 12 studs. i believe i didn't have enough studs to distribute the torque properly. in saying that i would say that stud length and quanity are the most important things to get right. hope this helps.

On Plastic: Like tunedbyear said there is a difference between cheap ones and good ones. I have 96 studs on my stock zr track. I used cheap-o (i didn't know) square plastic backers. Next season when going over the sled more than half of them were cracked and a good portion were broken with pieces mising. (I did not overtighten them.) I replaced them with a better set of square plastic backers (again, properly tightened) and not a single backer looks any worse for wear. If I knew where I bought them I'd recommend them. Unfortunately, I don't remember. Good thing I bought an extra pack incase any needed repair!

[This experience is on the meager 5-700 mile riding seasons we get in mostly marginal conditions. I am VERY easy on my track and the sled's only a 500 :) ]