Originally Posted by GovernorSilver

Yes, here in this area, temperatures frequently poke above freezing during winter. You would be right in assuming that the bike shop people (yes women work at bike shops here, maybe not in your state) dispense advice appropriate to the climate in this region. Your assumption that not a single bike shop employee in this region knows how to advise commuters vs. weekend riders, however, is not quite fair. Come down here and meet commuting riders, talk to them about the LBS's here and you'll know what I mean.