Winter Cycling - OK, I bike all year round. Now need advice

It's done. This, "I wonder if...." is over. Now I need to think about next year.

Having tested out winter biking using my old Trek 720 hybred, it is time to replace it.

The one thing I want is wide tires with studs. Now I need a bike to ride on them.

I do not want to purchase a new bike and am wondering if I am now needing a MTB to build into a winter bike.

Would an old MTB allow me to put on wide tires with studs? I have never had a MTB and am looking for options for a winter bike.

I don't commute, just run errands around town. I go grocery shopping etc.

most 26" MTB will allow you to run at least 2.0in tyres.

Schwalbe marathon winters can be had in 35mm width - should fit your hybrid.

Do you mean an old Multitrack like this? It seems like a really good starting point for building up a solid winter utility bike. Strong chromoly frame, plenty of braze-ons for fenders etc., easily replaced parts. You could put drop bars and bar end shifters on if that's your choice. I have 27" wheels on the one pictured, so I know that works; but if you have 700c rims I'm sure you'll have more tire choices.

An old MTB is all I use for winter riding and it serves me well. Only problems are black ice, or several inches of piled up old snow for miles and miles because it is just too darned draining to constantly fight it.

Do you mean an old Multitrack like this? It seems like a really good starting point for building up a solid winter utility bike. Strong chromoly frame, plenty of braze-ons for fenders etc., easily replaced parts. You could put drop bars and bar end shifters on if that's your choice. I have 27" wheels on the one pictured, so I know that works; but if you have 700c rims I'm sure you'll have more tire choices.

That is exactly what I have. In fact, two of them. One is a 1990 and the other is a 1995 both with 700c tires. I replaced the tires this winter with a nobby something or other and the rub against the fork. It is ok for the few miles I ride daily in town, but I would like to move to studs. That will help the black ice and packed old snow issue I hope.

My advice is to get a nice cheap semivintage Mtb and put on some badass wide tires. I am using a 91Fisher Montare with Nokian Freddie Revenz lite's (2.3 ") and they are great for really bad conditions. (we are not so far from our snow record here in downtown Oslo this winter). When conditions are better I have a CX-bike with Nokian w106 700c tires that would fit your hybrid. Great tires for days with less snow and some ice.

Your Trek should be able to take some fairly wide tires.
I have a Bianchi hybrid, much like yours, and I have 40mm Nokian hakkas with 240 studs. I don't think my ancient body could peddle anything wider. But it sure is nice when your ride features long stretches of ice.