lph, so you've used studded tires in the past? Last winter in Massachusetts was very mild, so I didn't need to switch from my slicks, but who knows what this winter holds. I'd be interested in hearing how the studded tires work and feel.

What is it about cold weather that makes riding your normal distance feel excruciatingly hard? I ride the same route every day, and some days, it's a (relative) breeze; then when the thermometer drops, it's this slow agony. Also, why do bikes not work as well in the cold? After a certain temperature, I just can't shift as well. Plus lately my steel road bike has been making this sort of creaking noise when I ride it in the 20s; I'm hoping that's just adjusting to the cold, not some horrible indication it's going to go kaput on me.