Originally Posted by
BobbyG
Today's commute was 17F and snowy with2" of powder and an underlayer of ice.
It was the first snow and ice ride with the studded snow tires since I converted my winter bike to drop-bars.
It worked beautifully.
The main motivation was that straight bars were hurting my 57-year-old hands, while my drop-bar bikes were not.
I was a little worried about kick-back in icy ruts, since the wide, straight bars provided lots of control for that, but that turned out to not be an issue.
I nailed the clothing and layers, not too cold, not too hot.
God, I love bike commuting!
+10. My motto for Winter cycling (commuting only) is
Gear and Gumption. We probably won’t see those conditions until January.
This will be the second winter I commute on well-maintained, but occasionally treacherous roads with a flat bar hybrid bike (with studded tires, of course) because of some shoulder / neck problems with drop bars. Unless I can “get in gear” and start my planned rehabilitation program.
I do have a quality aluminum beater road bike with drop bars, that accepts 30C Marathon studded tires, and at work convenient, secure indoor storage for drying out the slop –
makes winter bike commuting even more loveable. 
