Originally Posted by
NormanF
Studded tires are expensive and unnecessary unless you live in a place where snow will remain on the ground six months of the year.
Wrong answer for Chicago.
One patch of black ice and you will go down hard and probably not be able to ride for several weeks while you heal. The only thing required is temperatures below 32 degrees.
Bikes and smooth ice are a nasty combination (if you don't have studs)
It is easier to ride in the deep winter because there is less ice. If there are freeze/thaw cycles than ice can be a nightmare. But if you rode in the winter in freezing conditions, you would know that! ;-)