Winter and Cyclocross tyres / tires

Eh? The Durano Plus is meant to be a very good winter tyre. Remember folks: tread on a bicycle tyre is superfluous on the road.

Not entirely true - tread is unhelpful on smooth tarmac.

http://smtp.schwalbetires.com/tech_info/tire_tread

Anyone seen any of that round here?

I always think the fine tread, like that on a diamante pro, allows tyre to deform around the asphalt surface.

Makes sense and Schwalbe seem to agree - from the link above:

'A slightly serrated surface on the tire tread can have a positive effect on tire grip, as it creates micro interlocking with rough asphalt.'