How many bikes do you have???

[pinkbikes]

I can't make up my mind, and Dad's voice keeps telling me what I have is fine, so why would I spend money on something I don't need?

Because it would give you joy! And the world is a bit short of joy sometimes.

If you can afford it and you'll ride it, take your joy! There is no such thing as "too many bikes" if you ride and enjoy them all. (Says a woman with 4bikes and half a tandem).

[Biciclista]

Wow, now I'm feeling both jealous AND inadequate with just my one bike.

I like to think of my bike as a general practitioner in a world of specialists. It's a touring bike that I've now used for touring, commuting, charity rides and one tiny triathlon. Every time I think of getting a speedy road bike I hear my depression-era father in my head telling me that what I have is just fine for my needs. And I'm STILL sitting on a generous REI giftcard my sisters gave me back in January, thinking I could use it for a fun cruiser or a partial payment on a road bike. I can't make up my mind, and Dad's voice keeps telling me what I have is fine, so why would I spend money on something I don't need?

Sarah

my goodness, then don't! be a shining example for the rest of us consumers.
first to thine own self be true. who cares about how many bikes other folks have. you have one and you like it!

[Geonz]

Didn't this thread in the past get into all kinds of analysis of the difference between "want" and "need" and justifying wasteful consumerism in a world running short of resources?

I started with a green Schwinn Varsity (I think) 5-speed in 1990 that my mother put under the Christmas tree when I mentioned that at my new location in Richmond, it was flat enough to ride a bike. Little did I know my lifestyle would change! When I'd enjoyed riding it that summer, I went out just after Labor Day to *all* the bike shops 'til I found my Giant Nutra, entry-level hybrid.

I enjoyed it and then moved out to Illinois. My friends were into e-bay. My brother told me "get a Schwinn Racer for me if you find one because they're great bikes." I found one, bought it in 2000 ... and he didn't really want it. It has nice baskets so I could haul stuff easily.

I started *really* riding. People kept saying "if you had a lighter bike..." and one day in 2001 I rode one, and then inherited a little money. Bike shop guy said "you say you want lighter with bigger gears? Trek has a new line of hybrids." Got the Trek. Rode more.

2002: Got the Xtracycle added to the Giant. I thought hard about that ... but the company history sold me. Now I had a bike to carry anything and a bike to ride far and fast.

2003 or 4: Walked into shop to buy a tube. Grad student there, talking to my late lamented buddy Fritz about whether his asking price for his Dutch Commuter bike was fair, since he didn't want to take it home and he was graduating. Fritz had just said "you just have to find the right person." THat guy still thinks Fritz has telepathic powers Had I ever heard of a Gazelle? Yes, I'd been introduced to one by a biking buddy who saw it parked, and he'd told me about all its funky features, and I'd lamented that on this continent you couldn't get a bike *Really* made for commuting. "For 400 it's yours." Considered. Realized that for the rest of my life I'd be lamenting "I could have had a Gazelle!" and it was going to make his whole moving process easier.

A year later: whole mess of us had been talking about folding bikes and how the LBS didn't carry them because they didn't think they would sell - but hey, (he'd said to one of the employees in our group), if he *knew* 5 or six people were definitely interested.... As a service to my community I said I'd get one - would go halvsies with somebody, too, if that would work. He told me (before anybody else had even added to the tally) to go ahead, pick one out, he'd put it in stock if I didn't like it. I got one and within six months five more *had* headed out of the shop.

I have five bikes and I use them all. There's room in the garage because there is no car, and when I got the folder that was my rationale / rationalization... that *ten* of them would add up to the price of a reasonable used car. I also am a dismal mechanic and, therefore, right now I have two *ridable* bikes. My 7500 FX ('go fast' bike) is fine, as is the 1968 Schwinn I'm commuting with on these very rainy days. The Gazelle (Dutch commuter bike I got from a grad still has its studded tyres on from the winter, and the Xtracycle has a flat front tire that I fixed once but obviously *didn't* find the source. I got a recall notice about the Dahon so I might be getting a new handlebar for it, and besides, when I got on it last something was up with the chain adn it wouldn't, like, engage when I pedaled.

In the garage is also my friend's 1960 Racer that she never rides... and yes, I confess I acquired a Schwinn Spitfire from a man truly struggling with purchase addiction who was trying to unload some of the hundreds of bicycles in his basement (wall to wall, rather neatly arranged). That one I may take down and donate to the bike co-op, except that the folks buying bikes there want things that are more functional than a 55 pound coaster-brake bike (it really *is* hard to ride).

I sometimes struggle with buying things I don't need... when I think of what fun a Computrainer would be I slip $50 into the basket that goes to a certain nutrition program in El Salvador and then I can't afford it any more

[ZenSojourner]

Just the one. One's enough for me. I have no feelings of lust towards speedy bikes because I am not a speedy type person. I have less than no interest in racing, either participating or watching (not big on "watching" ANY sport).

I have nothing against it when other people are enjoying it, but it doesn't put any sparkle in my eyes.

I would kind of sort of like a more hybrid-ish style of bike and had hoped maybe to be able to buy a Susan B from Terry, but they're not making them this year, problems with the new supplier from what I've been told. But even that isn't a very serious want. Turns out I haven't had the money after all. Since I've been thinking about buying something like this since Terry was calling it the Athene, it's pretty obviously not a real high priority (that's like 13 years).

I love my touring type bike and the racks on it. I need panniers for the front now, I'm lusting after panniers much more than another bike. I just don't need anything else.

[Ana]

I have two:

1) My first road bike

2) My commuter bike

I love my commuter bike slightly more I am also getting a bike fit tomorrow (woo) and will post a report if anything interesting happens

I am looking for a new, more comfortable road bike (possibly another kind but we'll have to see).

[dachshund]

Heh... thanks to SadieKate I now have 3.
- Fairly new titanium road bike (Seven, painted orange!)
- a slightly too small Bianchi. I'm keeping it 'cause a backup bike is nice to have.
- my first mountain bike, a lovely titanium Litespeed that I bought from SadieKate. I just unpacked it and set up! Yay!

[OakLeaf]

Really only two. My old racer is collecting dust - it's geared way too tall for my old legs. With a six-speed freewheel and a standard double up front, I'd have to spread the dropouts and replace the entire drivetrain and the rear wheel to get shorter gears. For what that would cost, I could have a whole 'nother bike.

I've got the '07 Cannondale Synapse road bike and an '03 Trek Navigator that lives down south for the short commutes (<6 miles) I have there.

I need a commuter for up north. I'm thinking of a metal frame road bike, that I could hang a rear rack on, rather than a full-fledged heavy tourer. Friend of mine about my size just got a new Seven... I'm going to ask her what she plans to do with her Ruby.

[mayanorange]

Question - Anybody keep more than 2 or 3 bikes in an apartment? Space definitely is an issue...

We have a 2BR apartment... well it used to have 2 bedrooms, now it has one bedroom and bike room with a bed in the way! We have 4 bikes between the 2 of us.

[HillSlugger]

Apparently my (imposed from outside) limit is 3. I had to sell a bike when I got the tri bike.

[Skierchickie]

3 for me.

1) Jamis Xenith Pro carbon roadie (glad I got her last summer, now that DH is out of work)
2) Trek Fuel EX 9 mtb
3) Trek 520 tourer. Has yet to see much touring, I'm afraid, especially since DH doesn't have one, and we can't be buying any toys just now.

I always try to sell whichever one is being replaced as soon as I can, to help finance the new one. Sold the Trek 5200 over the winter, to make up for the Jamis.

I have a question for Shefly and anyone else in the 10-bike range (or even the 5-bike range, for that matter). When do you ride them all? I can't find enough time to ride the 3 I have. Last summer was my highest cycling year ever, and I still only got on the mtb 1-2 times per week, commuted 1-2 days a week on one of the other 2, and rode-rode-rode the new road bike. This year I'm back to running and (theoretically) swimming again, so 3-4 biking days per week is all I'll be able to squeeze in. With 10 bikes, a person would have to do double bike workouts 3 days a week, just to use them all!

[sundial]

Um, well, I tried to limit it to 2 bikes but the commuter bike was calling out to me. So 3. For now.

[SheFly]

I have a question for Shefly and anyone else in the 10-bike range (or even the 5-bike range, for that matter). When do you ride them all? I can't find enough time to ride the 3 I have. Last summer was my highest cycling year ever, and I still only got on the mtb 1-2 times per week, commuted 1-2 days a week on one of the other 2, and rode-rode-rode the new road bike. This year I'm back to running and (theoretically) swimming again, so 3-4 biking days per week is all I'll be able to squeeze in. With 10 bikes, a person would have to do double bike workouts 3 days a week, just to use them all!

Sometimes, having such a choice can be overwhelming - standing in the basement wondering which of the bikes to ride today... I all honesty, however, most of my bikes are very purpose-specific.

I race road, mountain and cross and have bikes that are only used for that purpose. Each of those dsiciplines also has a training bike (that brings to 6). The cross bikes are typically used only after Sept, during the season, and also, sometimes, during training camps in the summer (on dirt roads in Maine).

Our club also has a weekly TT series, so the TT bike(s) get quite a bit of use throughout the season (Apr-Sept) as well (that's 8). I have one dedicated road/trainer/commuter bike that I rode on the trainer all winter, and outdoors when the roads were still slushy, wet and salty.

The SS MTB is the one bike that gets the least amount of use, and DH is talking about converting that to a geared hardtail instead. I probably only use this bike a handful of times in the year. The SS road bike gets used for recovery spins - works pretty well to just rest my legs.

Cycling is my passion. I am on my bike at LEAST 5 days a week, and to keep it interesting, I have to mix it up - a TT on Weds, MTB ride on Thurs, road rides other days. I love to ride though, and do use all of the bikes I have.

I think everyone who has a bike, regardless of the number, and enjoys it, is richer for the experience.

SheFly

[msincredible]

I've got:

1 road bike
1 folding bike (doubles as a pseudo-MTB)
1 unicycle
1 project in progress (touring/commuting bike that I'm building from a vintage frame)

2 road bikes (one is the brevet/trainer bike w/schmidt hub and lights)
1 mtn bike
1/2 of a tandem (or really 1/3, as we ride w/ our daughter)
1 Ducati

Ah well, if we're counting motorcycles too, I've got three of those.

[badgercat]

One. My Trek FX 7.2. I commute on it AND I've done 50-mile rides on it. I've done 30-mile rides without even bothering to take off the rear rack and kickstand.

Don't let anybody ever tell you one bike can't do it all.

[Cataboo]

One. My Trek FX 7.2. I commute on it AND I've done 50-mile rides on it. I've done 30-mile rides without even bothering to take off the rear rack and kickstand.

Don't let anybody ever tell you one bike can't do it all.

Oh, almost any bike can do it all, especially with a strong rider... But it might not necessarily do it as well as a bike that was designed for it....

I'd suggest you don't go mountain biking with your fx.

I try to make up for my imperfections as a rider by getting a better bike instead of fixing me.


You guys did inspire me to list a bike & a frame on craigslist yesterday, and I "appear" to have buyers for them both at this point. *sniffle* I might cry.