For light snow, fat tires with low pressure work best (though some swear by skinnier ones). The same holds true with ice, but in that case the addition of studs makes your day go just a little less eventful. But of course most days your roads will be fine and you probably won't want to use your snow/ice tires all the time...but it can be a pain swapping tires based on the weather forecast. It's a little easier if you have a spare set of wheels with your snow/ice tires mounted on them, but personally I have a cheap MTB with rack, fenders and Nokian w240 studded tires that I use just for those snowy/icy days.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 11-08-12 at 06:44 AM.