There is a good reason why we run a few tyre studding workshops at EBC every year...

I ride here 12 / 365 and most of the time I get around okay without studded tyres but have a 26 inch studded tyre mounted up to a front wheel that I can swap into my extrabike or fg in a few minutes if the conditions warrant. I have never found much need for a studded rear tyre unless I am hauling big loads and want that extra rear bite when braking.

As far as tyres go, the tread type is often less important than the compound as many of the knobbiest tyres get rock hard in cold temps and offer really poor traction while many slicker tyres remain supple and get great hookup.

I run Schwalbe Hurricanes on my fg and have run these through the winter and have been very impressed with their cold weather performance... the tread compound stays supple in the coldest temps and the fg is very stable on the worst of roads.