One bike vs multiple bikes?
#151
Full Member
Do any of you guys just have/want only one bicycle?
I know that bike forums might not be the best place to ask this question.
However, I've been thinking a lot about life--what's needed for happiness--and the idea of having less things.
For most of my life, I've only had one bike.
However, on the eve of Christmas eve, I splurged on getting a Miyata 1000LT off ebay (supposed to be one of the best vintage touring bikes ever made).
The thing is, are any of you guys happier with just one bike?
Most bike nuts that I know of have around 3+: a pure roadie, commuter, maybe a mountain bike, and fixie.
On my end, I'm looking forward to my first non-folding bike in years (and properly fitting, too!).
I'm also thinking of paring away at my books, guitars (way too many), and woodworking tools.
Anyways, I've posted this on this sub-forum, since the C&V crowd seems to have the most bikes (8-10), the folder crowd has about 2-3 (mini-folder, moderate folder, full sized folders), and racers have about 2-3 bikes as well.
I know that bike forums might not be the best place to ask this question.
However, I've been thinking a lot about life--what's needed for happiness--and the idea of having less things.
For most of my life, I've only had one bike.
However, on the eve of Christmas eve, I splurged on getting a Miyata 1000LT off ebay (supposed to be one of the best vintage touring bikes ever made).
The thing is, are any of you guys happier with just one bike?
Most bike nuts that I know of have around 3+: a pure roadie, commuter, maybe a mountain bike, and fixie.
On my end, I'm looking forward to my first non-folding bike in years (and properly fitting, too!).
I'm also thinking of paring away at my books, guitars (way too many), and woodworking tools.
Anyways, I've posted this on this sub-forum, since the C&V crowd seems to have the most bikes (8-10), the folder crowd has about 2-3 (mini-folder, moderate folder, full sized folders), and racers have about 2-3 bikes as well.
Nothing wrong with multiple bikes if that's what your into, I have heard some people having 7-8 bikes and all of them being pretty top end. For me even if I had the space, money, and time the fact remains that bikes depreciate at an insane rate and eventually break down
#152
Banned
I am probably going to be the odd man out here but I have too many other hobbies to really invest in 3+ bikes let alone two. I used to have my carbon road bike and a carbon hardtail but soon realized that 90% of the time I was doing all road and I just don't ride enough to have so much money tied up in bikes. Again I am probably the minority here. Like I said I have other hobbies like building computers which also can be very expensive.
Nothing wrong with multiple bikes if that's what your into, I have heard some people having 7-8 bikes and all of them being pretty top end. For me even if I had the space, money, and time the fact remains that bikes depreciate at an insane rate and eventually break down
Nothing wrong with multiple bikes if that's what your into, I have heard some people having 7-8 bikes and all of them being pretty top end. For me even if I had the space, money, and time the fact remains that bikes depreciate at an insane rate and eventually break down
I now just use the bike for transport and don't want to waste the space/time/money with n+1 at my current residence.
#153
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Cycling is a hobby passion love addiction for me so I have 3 for various uses and could easily get 2 more.
Road Bike - General riding, training, racing, group rides. Most of my recreational riding is done on this
CX Bike - Off Road, Commuter, Cyclocross. My easy rides are on this
TT Bike - Racing, training. I don't ride this very often, but I can't see myself selling it either.
I could also use a hardtail Mountain bike and a true commuter; something that I can lock up outside the store and not loose a major investment. I won't ride a crappy beater, but trying to do things car free can be risky if all your bikes are worth over 1,000. Grocery Stores, and Restaurants could care less about them, and half don't even have a place to lock them up.
Road Bike - General riding, training, racing, group rides. Most of my recreational riding is done on this
CX Bike - Off Road, Commuter, Cyclocross. My easy rides are on this
TT Bike - Racing, training. I don't ride this very often, but I can't see myself selling it either.
I could also use a hardtail Mountain bike and a true commuter; something that I can lock up outside the store and not loose a major investment. I won't ride a crappy beater, but trying to do things car free can be risky if all your bikes are worth over 1,000. Grocery Stores, and Restaurants could care less about them, and half don't even have a place to lock them up.
#154
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Some of us have dumb thoughts along the lines of: 'Now that I got this nice vintage bike with Columbus SLX, I think I should get a similar one built with Columbus SL, just to see how it compares...'
Seriously though, having built my own computer (well, assembled all of the component parts... I wasn't soldering the motherboard or anything), I found it nowhere near as satisfying as building up a bike (again, just assembling components to a frame, no soldering or welding). What is it about computer building that does it for you?
Also, if you get a top-end vintage bike, it probably won't depreciate too much in the short term, if at all.
I am probably going to be the odd man out here but I have too many other hobbies to really invest in 3+ bikes let alone two. I used to have my carbon road bike and a carbon hardtail but soon realized that 90% of the time I was doing all road and I just don't ride enough to have so much money tied up in bikes. Again I am probably the minority here. Like I said I have other hobbies like building computers which also can be very expensive.
Nothing wrong with multiple bikes if that's what your into, I have heard some people having 7-8 bikes and all of them being pretty top end. For me even if I had the space, money, and time the fact remains that bikes depreciate at an insane rate and eventually break down
Nothing wrong with multiple bikes if that's what your into, I have heard some people having 7-8 bikes and all of them being pretty top end. For me even if I had the space, money, and time the fact remains that bikes depreciate at an insane rate and eventually break down
Also, if you get a top-end vintage bike, it probably won't depreciate too much in the short term, if at all.
#155
Full Member
Some of us have dumb thoughts along the lines of: 'Now that I got this nice vintage bike with Columbus SLX, I think I should get a similar one built with Columbus SL, just to see how it compares...'
Seriously though, having built my own computer (well, assembled all of the component parts... I wasn't soldering the motherboard or anything), I found it nowhere near as satisfying as building up a bike (again, just assembling components to a frame, no soldering or welding). What is it about computer building that does it for you?
Also, if you get a top-end vintage bike, it probably won't depreciate too much in the short term, if at all.
Seriously though, having built my own computer (well, assembled all of the component parts... I wasn't soldering the motherboard or anything), I found it nowhere near as satisfying as building up a bike (again, just assembling components to a frame, no soldering or welding). What is it about computer building that does it for you?
Also, if you get a top-end vintage bike, it probably won't depreciate too much in the short term, if at all.
Someone once told me it's not really the destination that matters but the journey there that sometimes is the most enjoyable and for PC building it's all about the prep and anticipation. A course there is some showmanship displaying our builds kind of like people showing off their bikes, builds, and Strava pics. There is no end to what you can accomplish kind of like cycling where you are constantly reevaluating your goals.
Some guy just posted how his wife and him are going to see a marriage counselor and one of her qualms his constant biking. While my wife doesn't mind my biking since I think it motivates her to go to the gym she isn't as found with my PC building since I tend to lock myself in my "office" tinkering for hours on end. She constantly reminds me if I play with it so much I am going to break it lol
#156
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I always had just one bike. Then my ex and I were divorced. I now have 4 bikes, one less than I had last year. I could certainly get by with just one bike. However, I really love riding a bike and I really like bikes. I am about to acquire a frame/fork, for just the cost of going to get it. Then I am going to sink some dollars into it to build it up. I have a vision for what I want to do and a sort of budget for that. I also really like BikeForums and get much enjoyment and help from the posts, and members. My favorite part is all the pictures of all the incredible bikes that I get to swoon over. It's a bike, bike,bike world.
#157
Senior Member
For me - 3 bikes
1. Gravel bike for commuting, fun, & everything else during late spring, summer, & early fall.
2. Cheap Schwinn BSO with fenders, disc brakes, & studded tires for winter weather commuting
3. 29+ mountain bike for dedicated trail riding.
Advantage of multiple bikes - even when one is broken, or getting a tune up, you always have something else to ride.
1. Gravel bike for commuting, fun, & everything else during late spring, summer, & early fall.
2. Cheap Schwinn BSO with fenders, disc brakes, & studded tires for winter weather commuting
3. 29+ mountain bike for dedicated trail riding.
Advantage of multiple bikes - even when one is broken, or getting a tune up, you always have something else to ride.
#158
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I have three bikes. A Electra Townie 21d with Cafe bars, front basket, rear rack(Commuter), an Electra Townie 21d with Bullhorn Bars, front basket, Fenders, and rear rack(Commuter, but in the shop); and a Sixthreezero EvryJourney 7 Speed fenders, rear rack (Weekend bike). I got good deals, and it keeps me on a bicycle if one is in the shop. I used to own two scooters/motorcycles.
Last edited by alloo; 06-05-19 at 10:09 PM.
#159
Junior Member
Currently at 4 bikes
Homebrew Carbon Di2 flatbar commuter
Giant Composite hardtail MTB
Trek Madone road bike
Trek FX 7.6 hybrid
...and IT'S NOT ENOUGH... plotting a fixie build and eyeing an electric cargo bike ...happiness is in positive correlation with the numbers of bikes I own!
Homebrew Carbon Di2 flatbar commuter
Giant Composite hardtail MTB
Trek Madone road bike
Trek FX 7.6 hybrid
...and IT'S NOT ENOUGH... plotting a fixie build and eyeing an electric cargo bike ...happiness is in positive correlation with the numbers of bikes I own!
#160
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Someone once told me it's not really the destination that matters but the journey there that sometimes is the most enjoyable and for PC building it's all about the prep and anticipation. A course there is some showmanship displaying our builds kind of like people showing off their bikes, builds, and Strava pics. There is no end to what you can accomplish kind of like cycling where you are constantly reevaluating your goals.
This is very true.
#162
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I could probably get by with one for transportation/commuting purposes, but it would be a hassle up here in the land of ice and snow (Wisconsin). I find it easier to have my fast but crappy single speed bike for good weather and an old MTB for winter; this means that I do not have to constantly change out the studded tires in the fall and spring. The MTB is also good for trailer hauls, which have become frequent since I dumped my car five years ago.
In real life, I got bit by the road bug and also have a crabon road bike and aluminum gravel bike.
In real life, I got bit by the road bug and also have a crabon road bike and aluminum gravel bike.
#163
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Specialized Diverge 1x gravel for commuting
Specialized Roubaix road for, well, the road
FELT F55X cyclocross that I need to get rid of SOON
I can imagine I will eventually get rid of the Diverge since I will be retiring in a couple of months, but I really love that bike.. I expect I will pick up a utility in its place.
Specialized Roubaix road for, well, the road
FELT F55X cyclocross that I need to get rid of SOON
I can imagine I will eventually get rid of the Diverge since I will be retiring in a couple of months, but I really love that bike.. I expect I will pick up a utility in its place.
#164
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Often, when I ride one of my bikes, I think to myself, "If I had only one bike, this would be the one," and yet it happens with most of them, even though they are pretty different. I'm glad I can afford a few. I really don't need more than one, but I like having them.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#165
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- Vintage sport touring bike: Check
- Gravel Grinder: Check
- Vintage mountain bike: Check
- SS/Fixed gear: Check
- Tandem: Check
- Old crappy bike on trainer in the basement: Check
But the gravel grinder and single speed are both awesome for when I go to ride in to work in the morning, and find that I have a flat tire. The tandem makes it much easier to transport a canoe with my daughter.
#166
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Vintage road bikes are just as good as modern for almost all purposes (depending on how you feel about brifters vs downtube), but I highly recommend you try out a modern mountain bike. The technology has made radical improvements since 'vintage'. Hydraulic disk brakes, affordable air shocks instead of coil or elastomer, wider tubeless tires (so you might as well just have a rigid frame like my Krampus), excellent shifting systems with greater range (for instance 1x10 with a 11-44 cassette, a narrow-wide chainring, and a clutched derailleur), not to mention fluff features like dropper posts, remote-fork-lockout switches, etc.
#167
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This is so true. And for me it is generally followed a few days later by a ride on another bike where I say, 'Oh, man, I really love this bike. I can't get rid of it...'
#168
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Have multiple bikes and a few I now realize were mistakes and a few doubles.It crosses my mind to thin out the herd from time to time and simplify my life since I’ve been wanting to try my hand at tiny house living.A few of my close friends tease me that I’ll need a tiny house for all my bikes.I have a few ideas to accomplish this storage problem.Should be interesting.
#169
Banned
Vintage road bikes are just as good as modern for almost all purposes (depending on how you feel about brifters vs downtube), but I highly recommend you try out a modern mountain bike. The technology has made radical improvements since 'vintage'. Hydraulic disk brakes, affordable air shocks instead of coil or elastomer, wider tubeless tires (so you might as well just have a rigid frame like my Krampus), excellent shifting systems with greater range (for instance 1x10 with a 11-44 cassette, a narrow-wide chainring, and a clutched derailleur), not to mention fluff features like dropper posts, remote-fork-lockout switches, etc.
#171
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I'm trying to reduce the number of bikes I own:
I think the point of this is that my main priority for a bicycle is transportation and cargo carrying but after that they are enablers of experience, which can be quite specialist. But ultimately I just love the design, the engineering and the aesthetics of bicycles and I think that is why I own so many.
- Surly Ice Cream Truck
- Cube step through bike
- Calibre dirt jump bike
- Gazelle Tour Populaire
- Merckx EM525
- Brompton (in bits at present - I need to fit a new rear triangle)
- HP Veloteknik Speed Machine
I think the point of this is that my main priority for a bicycle is transportation and cargo carrying but after that they are enablers of experience, which can be quite specialist. But ultimately I just love the design, the engineering and the aesthetics of bicycles and I think that is why I own so many.
#173
Full Member
No. I have two bikes. The first one (20 yrs old) is now my winter/rain/grocery bike. It's the bike I'm more comfortable locking up outside. And the new one is my baby. It worked out well as the 26" studded were more affordable than 27.5's would have been. I believe buy having two bikes, each for there purpose, I ride more than I would with just one.
#174
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haven't had one bike since i was about 12. i scraped bikes together constantly 'til 5 of my best were stolen in my 20's. kinda got away from bikes then, but still had 2 or 3. much later i learned some basic welding and went back at it even worse. i got bikes i liked and others for freakbike/stretch cruiser projects.
even for commuting (and i'm not really a commuter) i have two of the same bike, just got a line on another (edit: got it), and in my head the idea calls for 4 (essentially not have to make changes for seasons, conditions, etc.)
even for commuting (and i'm not really a commuter) i have two of the same bike, just got a line on another (edit: got it), and in my head the idea calls for 4 (essentially not have to make changes for seasons, conditions, etc.)
Last edited by Philphine; 06-27-19 at 08:49 AM.
#175
aka Tom Reingold
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Our space is larger than most. I keep one in the apartment, one in the building's bike room, and two in the basement. I'm lucky to have this much space and tolerant neighbors and wife. The bikes in the basement might violate the fire code (blocking a path of egress), but so far, so good.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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