1. Current bike is too nice to ride in the winter with the salt. I know myself I just can't do it. I'll have to get a beater bike for the winter. Any recommendations on the type of bike? I'd assume those skinny roadbike tires are terrible in the winter, should I go for the fat bike tires, but they do look a bit ridiculous.
I use a Giant escape hybrid that I bought used. After four years of winter commuting the front and rear derailleur were shot, and the wheels started breaking spokes. I prefer to ride on drop bars, so I swapped them on the bike (along with some bar end shifters) when I replaced everything. (One thing to be aware of is that you need to choose components that you can comfortably work with a heavy glove on, bar ends are great for this.) It has V-brakes, which are OK most of the time (but could be better in really slippery/icy/slushy conditions)
Most any bike will work OK for 10 km though. Since it's so wet and shitty in the winter, I'd prefer to have a disk brake bike that will take at least 32 mm tires in the frame. Make sure it has mounts for fenders (fenders keep your bike cleaner, which means less salt damage). Stay on top of oiling your chain to prevent rust and premature wear, replace your cables/housings every year (two at the most) and every fall before winter comes, take the whole bike apart and grease everything with some marine bearing (or other waterproof) grease.
I use 32mm flat proof tires with a little bit of tread on them in the winter (Contentental Tour Ride), and regular 28mm road tires in the spring/summer/fall (Continental Ultra Sport II). You don't need fat bike tires, or even mountain bike tires if you ride on the road. It's really only a little bit of January and most of February where we get significant snow in Toronto.
2. Just curious if anyone is using an e-bike in the winter too. Again the worries about the salt probably would stop me from doing this but I do see advantages of having one for the commute.
I'd be leery of running an e-bike in the winter simply beacuse they're expensive and the salt will eat everything on your winter bike eventually.
3. What safety options are you using.
- Reflective tape on bike / helmet
- Lights (lots of lights) especially through the winter where it's dark and visibility is often poor. I run a front and rear light in the summer. I run five rear lights (two on the bike, two on the backpack, one on the helmet) and two front lights in the winter.
- Fluorescent jacket with reflective patches
- Ride on the road, not the sidewalk. Take the lane when you need to, ride predictably, don't blow lights/stop signs, signal your intent.
4. Any feedback on your health since you started doing this?
Health is great. I feel happier all day at work when I ride in, and sleep much better at night. Regular commuting over the winter has helped prepare me for longer bike rides (did a couple 160km rides last summer, and weekly 100+km rides on the weekends).