Hey, how did you get a rack to fit on your Smoke? I have one too, but the fenders have this weird hookup I couldn't fit a proper rack to
so I have to use a seatpost one instead
Actually since those pictures (from my
last post) last summer in Vancouver I've used my Smoke in a Regina winter:
I've never really biked in the winter before, and even in the summer
Regina isn't exactly the best place to commute, but I was told lowering the seat (to lower your centre of gravity) and deflating the tires (to increase traction surface area) can be helpful. I was actually surprised how stable it was, especially at stops where I'd put my foot down and my leg would slide right out, though the bike held firm.
Corners are kind of scary though, especially coming off a mostly-clear main road onto a snowed-over side (residential) one - drivers don't seem to realise bikes have to slow to a crawl to make the corners without sliding out. Also, you end up riding in the ruts in the road, where there's more bare road for traction - drivers didn't seem to understand that I couldn't just ride on the edge where it was all slippery.
Proper studded tires would've been helpful, but as long as the roads are clear of high snow and not totally iced over, it's manageable with regular slicks. Disc brakes would be nice too, in case your rims get caked with ice and make rim brakes useless.