Hey there, thanks for the compliment!

The tires were not studded, just semi-nobs. The new tires are even smoother, though not slick. They are the Marathon XR's. I think I will be OK with that. I have definitely considered studs but I wouldn't want to run them all winter. I have considered two winter bikes (one with studs and one with out) but have not come to a decision.

The tires I ran last year did fine. I only fell once and that was when I was going down my driveway (sloped) and realized I forgot to turn on my blinky. I absentmindedly hit the brake and down I went. I really didn't have to go much slower, they went over everything just fine. The roads were petty much plowed and usually I only had a bit of snow to go through.