How Many Bikes Can You Have Before You're Considered A Hoarder?

[lauraelmore1033]

Just picked up yet another Craig's list deal on a second recumbent bike, bringing my personal total up to 4 bikes--5 if you count the tandem--6 if you count the mountain bike I've loaned my son and am probably never going to see again. Dh has 3 bikes and our garage is starting to look like a bike shop. Each of the bikes has some special quality that the others don't have and is absolutely indispensable. None of them (except the tandem) was very expensive. A couple of them--including the new recumbent were older bikes that had essentially never been ridden and cost a fraction of what a new bike with similar components would cost. So I guess I'm asking for validation of this apparently compulsive behavior...

[AppleTree]

I think you've come to the right place for validation! My DH just bought his third bike. A Surly disc trucker. I have two, a Dolce Elite for summer rides and a Jamis Aurora for commuting and the other nine months of the year up in the PNW, ha. So we have five now.

You've found some great bargains though. That makes it easier to justify!

We are doing Chilly Hilly Sunday. I was hoping the weather would be nice enough for the lighter Dolce...alas, it looks like it will be the heavier Jamis with the fenders and wider tires.

[lauraelmore1033]

Yeah, I knew I wouldn't be alone here, was just feeling a little guilty. I have to go to another forum for absolution regarding my art/sewing supply habit....
Have fun doing Chilly Hilly. I've only done it once and Dh and I have both decided we don't like dealing with the Ferry. We'll manage to find chills and hills over here.

[thekarens]

I seriously know someone who has over 50 bikes. He collects them and restores them and rides them. After I learned that about him I no longer felt guilty about our 6.

[lauraelmore1033]

I seriously know someone who has over 50 bikes. He collects them and restores them and rides them. After I learned that about him I no longer felt guilty about our 6.

See, that's what's missing; The actual knowledge to restore these things. That would feel like something productive. Still feel guilty...

[AppleTree]

Yeah, I knew I wouldn't be alone here, was just feeling a little guilty. I have to go to another forum for absolution regarding my art/sewing supply habit....
Have fun doing Chilly Hilly. I've only done it once and Dh and I have both decided we don't like dealing with the Ferry. We'll manage to find chills and hills over here.

The ferry ride is the best part, LOL. Cyclists pretty much take over a whole ferry boat, and that feeling of being with your own "tribe"!

You'd have to really have a big house/garage for 50 bikes, whew.

[zoom-zoom]

Hahahahaaaa!!!! Sorry. Preachin' to a choir of enablers!

[lauraelmore1033]

Hahahahaaaa!!!! Sorry. Preachin' to a choir of enablers!

[Wahine]

First of all the correct number of bikes is n + 1.

For example I currently own 4 bikes and have a 5th on order. I will sell one of the other bikes when the 5th comes in but begrudgingly. My house spouse has 7 bikes. We don't have any tandems. So that's 11 bikes between the 2 of us and I could justify more for sure. You don't need to worry about hoarding, yet.

[lauraelmore1033]

First of all the correct number of bikes is n + 1.

For example I currently own 4 bikes and have a 5th on order. I will sell one of the other bikes when the 5th comes in but begrudgingly. My house spouse has 7 bikes. We don't have any tandems. So that's 11 bikes between the 2 of us and I could justify more for sure. You don't need to worry about hoarding, yet.

That is so reassuring!

[Crankin]

At one time we had 9 bikes hanging in the "bike house." Two went to DS #1.
We are now down to 4, 2 each. I want to get a dedicated commuter, now that I am working 5 miles from home. Because I have a 10+% climb up to my house on the way home, I've scoped one "off the rack" Trek that has the gears I need, but the smallest size may be too big for me. I've looked at Sweet Pea, but not sure if I want to spend 3k for this kind of bike. It will be perfectly fine to ride my Guru with the Arkel Trail rider or my pannier, but I am still working out if I can bring my bike in and leave it locked to the stairwell, which is in an area that is only for employees, out of sight.