Originally Posted by
gerv
If you do decide studded tires might be useful, remember that many just put them on the front...
Yes, I often put on only the front studded tire, especially at the beginning of snow season. Front-tire-only will often preserve your steering control and save you from skidding out.
However, you will lack traction on your drive wheel.
This can lead to some comical conditions when going up a slight hill that's iced over. You might find your rear wheel turning without giving you any traction. Like the Red Queen, you will be spinning as fast as you can just to stay in one place.
I did this once for three or four minutes. Some little kids saw me spinning in place and started laughing. That brought out my Inner Clown and I really hammed it up for them. I was turning red and puffing loudly while standing and spinning. The kids were literally rolling around in the snow laughing at me!
No matter what the weather, you're going to have more fun on a bike!