How many different bikes do you have?

[brigada]

Just one for now: a custom-built Cannondale CAAD4 mountain bike. I built it from the frame up with a mix of new and used parts and I upgrade here and there when I come across affordable parts I find interesting. Currently it's at about 10.5 kgs, I intend to drop it below 10.

I would love to add a nice road bike to my collection as well, but since I don't have enough money or room in my apartment for two bikes, I guess it will have to wait. Maintaining this one can get costly enough as it is when you're a student.

[khg]

I have three:

--A Jamis Quest, my "first bike" (at least first adult bike) that I got as my graduated grad school present. It felt like a fairly sporty road bike at the time, but now is my relaxed commuter/utility bike, with fenders and sometimes a rack. It's a pretty nice bike to have as a utility bike!

--An old Colnago, that I got on a whim. DH had bought a vintage Cinelli, and wouldn't shut up about how much he loved riding it. I was looking on Craigslist one day, which I very rarely do, and there it was, for sale in the same neighborhood I live in. Must be a sign. Looked like it might be my size, thought I'd just take a test ride, and next thing I knew, I had another bike. For a bit I worried that I had made a horrible mistake--more aggressive geometry, different feeling, and the downtube shifters were a bit tricky for a while. But next thing I knew, I was in love. I've since upgraded the drivetrain and wheels (that took care of Christmas and my birthday for a few years...), and it's my darling--so much fun! I'm taking a bike trip to Italy at the end of the summer, and I'm looking forward to bringing my Italian bike home...

--A Wabi Classic singlespeed. I ordered this on a whim while I still had the downtube shifters on my Colnago. Some rides I would go from "it's too much bother to shift for this little change in terrain" to "I wonder if I can do this without shifting..." This is sometimes my go-to bike when I'm tired. I find its simplicity mentally relaxing because without the option to shift, there's a lot less decision making to do. Also it is slightly undergeared for the flats to preserve a chance of making it up the hills, so I can't hammer on the flats--I am more relaxed and patient with myself when riding it.

So, three steel road bikes... But each has its distinct personality, and I don't want to give up any of them! In fact, I'm already thinking about what I might want in the next bike...

[azfiddle]

I have two at present- 2011 Ruby carbon road bike and a Surly Long Haul Trucker (steel) touring bike which I bought for trying some bike camping. I ride the road bike 3-5 times a week and the Surly occasionally for errands. We've taken just one short camping trip so far.