From where I sit, you look like setting yourself up for failure. After I ripped a third or so set of clothes in falling on ice, I suddenly realized that an investment into studded tires was a cheap solution. It would have been so much cheaper if I bought them before ripping all the clothes and it would have been so much more comfortable without the involved aches and bruises.

After riding many winters I realize that I do not need to rely on the studded tires as much as at the beginning, but this is because the studded tires gave me the breathing room where I could hone my winter riding skills.