If I lived in a warmer climate, I'm pretty sure I could get a good gravel bike and that would suffice. If it would take 40mm tires + fenders than it could work as a winter bike too except that I want an IGH for winter riding and really don't want one the rest of the year. Not that I'm unhappy about the way an IGH works, just that they're pretty hefty and the range/spacing isn't what I'd prefer.
And it's really not a weight weenie thing. I pick up my bikes often enough that I appreciate the lighter one. It truly does "Spark Joy" when I pick it up after a few months of dealing with the heavy one.
I'm a bit skeptical of those advocating 3+ bikes. I can understand why some may want that many but I think the reasons don't warrant making it a standard recommendation. Recommending two I can relate to of course but I think most commuters can be perfectly happy with one. When you start considering non-commuting activities, well, then having just one bike becomes more limiting.
Last edited by tjspiel; 01-03-17 at 11:55 PM.