Originally Posted by
UniChris
I don't think the OP's goals are so unrealistic.
More that they've not been back to the site since a few hours after posting, and so haven't yet answered the key question about what aspect of a road bike (geometry? bars? gearing?) they are are insistent on preserving when they seek a "road bike" with large tire clearance but reject the idea of a "gravel bike".
That's a reasonable question--"proper road bike" doesn't really convey very much. Let's maybe guess that the OP is going to prefer something similar to the Synapse, so what's the closest bike with icy condition capabilities?
TBH, I did my worst winter conditions riding on a "comfort bike". To my thinking, they're nearly purpose-built for the conditions, and you don't worry a lot about messing them up. I find the upright position works better on slippery ice, but that just might be me.