If you live in an area where you get ice... do your self a favor and get some good CARBITE studded tires. I went cheap the 1st year. After 1 month of use the rear steel studs were useless and nearly shattered my elbow when I went down hard on a patch of ice. Since then I put up with the slight noise and heavier feel of the Nokia W109's. Since I've put on the good tires I've note gone down, even when I've ridden in some crazy icy days. The problem with black ice is that you won't know it till you cross it and your bike slides out from under you. You might think that you'll be able to catch yourself... chance are good that when you put your foot down, that it too catches the inc. Then you go down hard. My co-pay for a hospital visit is MUCH higher than the cost of a good set of tires.

Enjoy the ride,
André