Nokian extremes here as well. I have used others with fewer studs, but found that often times I wasn't making contact with the ground. Our roads here are slightly beveled to shed snow/water to the sides. Unfortunately, some roads seem to have more angle than others, so having more studs in the tire seems to work better for me.

Although my commute isn't very far,; it's funny to see the motorists looking in "shock."



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