They have a bedding in time, where the studs can get pulled out. After that if you're usinf carbide tipped studs, they last quite well. The trouble is that the ride is nasty on bare tarmac. They roll poorly, make a lot of noise, and vibrate. Riding spikes on old hard pack snow is pretty special though.
Yeah, I like the width in the drops when off-road/ winter cycling. But have the tilted up for a nice hoods position for cruising.
I love this :D