Thinking about getting a 2nd winter bicycle..
 

is this a bad idea?

there are two typed of winter riding that i've categorized: snow; and less snow.

so i have a surly 1x1, which is as close to a "snow" bike as i'm going to get, but i've been craving something a little faster for the days where the riding is mostly pavement and my only concern is ice. my road bikes don't have clearance for a studded tire, so i was looking at the "earl", by trek.

anyone have any thoughts on this? my biggest concern is that it's simply way too excessive, but i would have a lot of utility for the bike come the rest of the seasons too.

I run multiple bikes in the winter... the ice bike is all about the knobby studded tyres which will get me through the most apocalyptic weather and during dryer ice free spells and after the thaw I ride other bikes.

The Earl seems like a good choice. It appears to be similar to my Timeline, which I'm liking so far for the winter, though I don't enjoy switching tires with the weather. Oh well. But yeah, if you have the monies for it, go for it. Fast riding kicks butt.

I am running a 3 bike "solution" this winter. Dry roads is my "rain" bike which is a beatup but mechanically sound 2000 LeMond Zurich. Love the speed!

Then for wet roads, and or a little snow I have a Kona Jake the Snake outfitted with knobbies and fenders.

Then for icy or serious snow I have a Raleigh MB with studded tires and fenders.

So far I am loving this solution as the road and CX bike are both plenty fast and capable for most days. Keeps me conditioned to riding a road style bike vs the upright position of the mountain bike.

I run three of my four bikes in winter, choosing between them based on conditions. I have one with studded tires, my backup commuter, and one of my pure roadies, although outiftted with Crud RoadRacer fenders for the winter.

With the winter we've been having, the bike with the studded snow tires has the least miles on it so far this year.

Good idea. I have a CX-bike with 40 mm Marathon Winthers that I use most of the time and a rigid Mtb with 2.3 " Nokians for the bad days.

I have a CX bike with 3 sets of wheels for commuting... studded Marathon Winter, non-studded Conti Top Contact Winter II, Conti CX Speed. Swapping wheels takes 10 minutes at most. For non commute rides I use road bikes.

N+1. Yes you need another bike. My winter road bike was $ 30.00 at a yard sale, now has nokian 700x 35 studded tires on it. A fuji espree, rust and grey color.

bought it today! will post next week when is all together.