Quote Originally Posted by Eden View Post
You can get cyclocross tires that are likely to fit your bike fine (I had some on an old Trek 420 with no problems) and some of them do have pretty aggressive tread patterns. They will help you go in the snow/slush, but for slick ice I don't think anything except for studded tires will help much.
I'm also not sure I'd recommend any of this for a learner... it really takes your whole body (lots of core) and a smooth pedal stroke to keep a bike up when it is very slippery.
I am thinking of patches of ice as opposed to sheets of it - but of course - ice can get you regardless of the amount. It is the black ice that concerns me rather than the stuff we can see and hopefully avoid.

Thanks for your caution regarding core strength and pedal stroke needed for riding in slick conditions. I am having problems with a consistent pedal stroke right now - once I start building cadence my pedals start "skipping" - and quite a lot - especially on one side. They haven't found anything wrong with my bike - so it must have something to do with the "engine". My cycling instructor thinks that it is either a fitting issue (I have a fitting scheduled in a couple of weeks) or I've one leg stronger than the other.