Originally Posted by
NormanF
Makes sense where you live. I was thinking about lower latitudes where snow and ice last a few days and are quickly gone.
If you live further north though, I concur studded tires are a good safety investment for the winter.
Studded tires are not a matter of degrees. It's not like asking whether it's worth it to pay more for a lighter bike.
Studded tires change your tire from sliding down on ice, to gripping on ice about 2/3rds as well as dry pavement.
In some areas you get snow but don't really get ice. In some areas you only get ice 1-3 times per year and you just drive instead. Sometimes the roads are so dangerous because of cars slipping around you wouldn't want to bike on the road anyways during rare times there are ice no matter what your own traction is.
I just don't see it as a "did I use it enough" issue. Just not being slammed into pavement 1 time because of ice makes it worth the cost in my opinion.