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

[shootingstar]

We have 8 bikes in total --4 per person. And I have 3 bikes in a completely different city. Long story. But it is a 2nd home.

I would have more where I am but my storage locker can only accommodate 2 --his and mine. So I cannot buy another bike because of lack of space. No, I have no interest storing a bike up in condo..my place is small and don't want possible scratches maneouvering bike. We don't store bikes up in our home. All of them in storage lockers that we own.

So why have I hung onto bikes that I don't even see daily in my location....? The folding bike is definitely used for touring and for rides with dearie. I don't like locking up the Dahon folding bike for hours in public places, because of possible theft. A folding bike now (especially more expensive models) in Vancouver BC is much more common now and hence worth stealing. So I ride occasionally a hybrid bike for errands in Vancouver and leaving locked up for hrs. outside stores, etc.

I don't feel guilty since we haven't owned a car for decades.

[Catrin]

What is this "hoarder"?

[rebeccaC]

Well, if those two people knocking on your door are a city public safety employee and a clinical physiologist then you may be a bicycle hoarder. Hopefully none of us are at that point…….(and as Wahine wrote)..yet

[Wahine]

Yeah, n+1 is always a good answer. I'm a bit more pragmatic. If you ride them, no problem. I'll even grant an allowance for bicycles with sentimental value. For example, I still have my Baby Jogger because it saved my sanity. Ten years ago. I think I'm ready to give it up to a good home now, but for some reason I just couldn't bear to part with it even after it was no longer useful. If storage is an issue AND the bikes are unused, then it's time to think about giving a few to good homes. Or if finances are tight. Otherwise, go with the n+1 rule and stimulate the economy a bit.

In all seriousness, I can truthfully say that I ride all of my bikes and all of them have a specific use. In fact I've ridden all 4 of my bikes in the span of 3 days. I think that was a record. But I do truly believe that if you own it, you need to ride it. If you don't ride it, you should find a new home for it.

But then again, this is an opinion from someone who rehomes clothes if I've not worn them in a year unless they have significant sentimental value. I don't like clutter.

[nuliajuk]

I think my better half comes close to being a hoarder. There are bikes under the basement stairs that are still packed in the boxes he put them in when we moved here 4 years ago. It bothers me that I have to sell one of mine to make room for another one because he is unwilling to part with bikes that he hasn't even ridden in over 20 years. He has trouble getting rid of other things as well. You'd think he'd at least be willing to sell his track bike considering that a) he hasn't ridden it since about 1991, and b) there is no velodrome in the city we're now living in.

[Rebecca19804]

My partner and I have finally reached saturation point with 10 (6 mine, 4 his). Two of mine really need to go, one being a city bike that isn't suitable now that I live in hilly Bedfordshire, the other being my road bike now surplus to requirements with the recent arrival of the custom road bike. If I can find good homes for them soon, that'll leave the custom road, the vintage road, the commuter cross bike and the Brompton. Those 4 get regular use and I can't think of anything else I need.

My boyfriend has 3 road bikes, plus the tandem (which I consider more his than mine as he uses it at least once or twice a week as a cargo bike). His road bikes all overlap in purpose but get used for different situations: one is the year-round commuter that gets all the abuse, one is his "best" titanium bike, and the other is a decent aluminium-framed Specialized that can pinch-hit for either of the others. He toys with selling the Spesh, but it does fill in nicely for those long-distance rides where he may have to lock up his bike out of sight and doesn't want to worry about his best bike.

We're planning our first cycle tour. It's obvious which bike I'm taking but he could take any one of his 3. Which makes him think maybe one should go. So we could be down to 7 by the end of the year.

Plus, the 2 teenagers each have a bike -- which never get ridden anymore. So still a garage-full.

In fact, we found out from a local boy that we're known as "the house with all the bikes". Doesn't help that our garage door is often open just when the local bus goes by! So we've installed multiple sets of motorcycle anchors (in cement) and 19mm thick chains throughout the garage to secure all the bikes.

[ny biker]

We have a nonprofit bike shop here that teaches bike maintenance to kids and lets them earn bikes by working in the shop. They also sell used bikes to raise money. So it was easy for me to get rid of my old road bike when I bought a new one -- they were very happy when I donated it to them.

I'm in the minority here. I have two bikes, both get ridden though the mountain bike does not get ridden very often. I have no need for any more bikes, no place to store any more bikes, and plenty of other things to spend my money on.

[TrekDianna]

I have not yet reached the point where I feel I have too many bikes. I do have two houses and some of my bikes are there. I can't carry them back and forth all the time. I watched others ride the fat bikes this winter and I think I need one of those. I am also sure I will need a touring bike in the future.

[shootingstar]

I can't carry them back and forth all the time.

This is why we have bikes in 2 different..provinces. And yes, I deliberately and happily gave away my 5th bike (which I rode for 14 yrs.) to a sister in Toronto. I borrow it whenever I visit my extended family there. Think of this solution, if you want to give away a bike and visit a friend/relative often in a different city far away AND someone in the family is the same size as you, consider the option also.

[SheFly]

Oh - you are FAR from hoarding status my friend! Wahine said it best - n+1 (says the woman with at least 18 bikes in the two person basement). They all get ridden/raced, and all have a purpose! I do feel a bit badly that the brand new Cannondale Evo I bought in August last year has seen fewer miles than my Charge Cooker Maxi (fat bike), but I intend to rectify that if we ever get spring/summer in New England .

SheFly

[Owlie]

I have 3. The road bike sees the most use. The CX bike was largely purchased as a rain/nasty surface road bike, and there's the Iguana, which is supposed to be a commuter/grocery-getter/casual ride bike. I haven't had time to ride much of late (CX bike's on the trainer, road bike is gathering dust) and I haven't ridden the Iguana at all. (Godzilla needs some TLC, you see.)

[Norse]

What is this "hoarder"?

Ha! So true (says she with 4 bikes in her stable, some used more than others but all used, all have their own unique purpose)!

[Susan Otcenas]

As Wahine says, if you are using them, then you aren't hoarding them. If they are just sitting around, find them a new home.

I sold 2 bikes last year because they definitely weren't being ridden much and needed to be loved by someone else. We also just sold our tandem, because, well, I'm a control freak and don't want to be a stoker anymore. ;-)

Now I have 5 bikes and they all are useful to me. (Though, truthfully, I don't ride my Santa Cruz very often at all. It sure was fun in the snow a few weeks ago, though.) I have a 6th on order. And I really need a cheap "commuter" that I can ride into town and leave chained up on the street without worrying about it. Something old, ugly and beat up that no one would take a second glance at.

[Catrin]

I've been feeling a bit guilty to have ONE bike that I am currently not riding. I am ignoring that though, I love my full-custom Gunnar even if I am not currently riding her. That will change when I am ready.

[TigerMom]

I am not a hoarder, but I am a bike luster.

Unfortunately, lusting is also costing me money (4bikes in 3 years but then I sell my old ones). I am almost glad that my short height limits me to much fewer options (I would love to try Wahine's Titanium "softtail" and/or buy the Cannondale Scalpel 29er carbon with the SRAM XX1, but I am much too short).