How much drag do studs cause? How much time would they add to, say, a 45 minute, 12 mile commute on dry pavement? I understand that they won't be used much (10% to 20% seems to be the norm for the winter). Is the tradeoff worth it? Or can you just be extra careful on days where ice is present and avoid having your entire winter slowed from the presence of studs?
My 40-45 minutes (12 miles each way) becomes 55-60 on studs. Wind is usually worse in the winter too just for fun.
If it was just snow I could skip the studs but the cars often pack it into ice.
While they salt the heck out of the roads in Detroit, that is only on the main roads that make up 15% of my ride. The 85% on side streets don't get salted.
The deadliest stuff is after it snows for a few days. The sun often melts snow during the day and the water runs into the roads. It refreezes at night making sheets of ice.
These are the main reasons for studs for me. Like everyone else I'm rolling on them 80% of the time on fine pavement....but the 20% can be unpredictable.
I still have a scar on my hip that reminds me not to trust the weatherman.