Hi Wolfchild, I'm in southern ontario, about an hour south of Toronto.

Yes, in the winter commute I'll definitely need warm clothing and studded tires.
The bike I have my eye on can fit full fenders, has braze ons for a rear rack, and should fit studded tires.

An upside is that my university has showers, and the commute only has a few stops. Which means I should be able to keep warm just by cycling, and then shower after the ride.
They've also got a co-op on campus with free bike parts, mostly junk that you can stick on temporarily if something breaks. And of course free use of all the tools you might need.


Chasm54,

Yes, many lights and reflective gear seems to be the most important advice I've been given. I plan to get some really really good ones, if I can. Certainly something worth spending a pretty penny on.

I'm not sure about over-doing it with reflective gear. Lights seem a much better way to be visible.

Definitely on a country road where cars are moving at 70km/h, and by winter having reduced visibility and it being pitch dark out, I'll need to make sure I'm lit up.