I was hoping to commute in snow this year but it didnt happen because... well.... we had no snow.

I have only one bike for commuting which is a 10 speed. I have heard that in the snow, you might have trouble with the derailure, shifting, so what do you all do?

And I also heard with the salt/sand they lay down, it can eat your cassette, chain, etc so do you have a set you put on before and after winter?

Cannot get a single speed so thats out of the question. No room left in the small apartment.