DCC, thanks for the feedback on the Nokians. I'm really hoping to be able to make it through this winter biking which means at least one day with a good amount of snowfall on the roads and other days with plenty of ice to contend with. Your experience helps me to know what I'll be up against. I hate driving in the snow because most people around here seem to think that 4WD makes their car invincible. I've seen enough in ditches and on their roofs to know they are not and on a bike I feel I have a better chance of avoiding a nasty collision with one.