ddtbuck

I just recently moved from a house (the owner sold it) that had a nice garage where I got to tinker with all my bikes. I now live in a one bedroom apt. and have no room for all the bikes. I have only room for one bike. My problem is that I live in an area where I have many biking options. 1/2 a mile away, I have a steep mountian that goes almost straight up forever (along with many other trails in the area including rolling cross country rides). The other way I have a long paved bike trail, and then I have the rest of the San Francisco Bay area to venture. I really enjoy mtb, road and everything in between (including SS and Fixed), but now I have to decide on one all-around ride.

Suggestions?

Boudicca

Performance hybrid? Specialized Sirrus, or there's a Trek that looks pretty cool. Light weight yet relatively robust.

el twe

I have a hybrid...don't like it. You could just go with a shock-less (old Rock Hopper?) MTB - whatever you like.

Fugazi Dave

'Cross bike, perhaps?

LordOpie

Sacriledge! You've got several bikes, but you're getting rid of all but one cuz of your tiny apartment? A real cyclist would sleep standing up and leave room for his rides.

You go now!

hillyman

Tourbike! Drops,triple-crank,big enough tires for slicks and knobbies,eyelets for racks,great brakes and build tough enough to handle it all.

late

Hi,
rent some storage space. Keep one, throw the others in there.
Start looking for a more permanent solution. You might be able to scare up a neighbor, or a new apartment. You can work it out.
Or send me the extra bikes

ultra-g

I second the Cyclocross suggestion. I was considering a cyclocross bike too... look at the Bianchi Axis, Cannondale Cyclocross or the Lemond Poprad. They're all around $1200.

PWRDbyTRD

Find the MTB bike you like best and then get a 2nd set of wheels for it...knobbies and slicks...best idea I can come up with.

jeff williams

Ya, I was thinking that also. Maybe towards XC style frames. And cyclocross sounds a smart road.
Depends if you mean really offroad, then i'd go xc and 26 inch wheels.

Being a single bike owner -buy custom chain rings for your terrain. I run flat offroad mostly so I run a 38T ring to keep speed.
If I go 'real' mtbing I'll swap out the ring for less teeth. Being in SanFran= a mtn cogset might be a good option for those hills.
Non-suspension ATB can be sub 20 lbs, no need for triples..even doubles!

Or....forget art, decorate the walls with bikes!
I personally like wrenching in the kitchen.
Close to snacks, cold beer and water for a wash up.

stumpjumper

rigid mtb.

My daily commuter (20 miles each way) is an 88 stumpjumper with slicks and drop bars, mountan cassette and a 52/42 shimano 600 crank, racks, fenders, the works.

you could just change some hardware and voila... mtb becomes road bike becomes touring bike, etc.

VermontRides

If you really, really have to part with all those bikes, I would suggest a cross-bike, with two or three wheel sets (to quickly change the handling/function of the bike) you could get by on a fast road ride or single- track as long as you weren't trying to keep up with or beat people riding "event" specific bikes. Not all cyclo-cross bikes have the same versatility though so look around a bit. Example: Surly Cross-check, up to 45mm tires, Cannondale, last time I checked barely had clearance for 35mm tires -- Surly is a better "all round" bike frame, as it will be the better mountain bike. The Poprad I recently worked on was nice, better clearance than the C-dale but not as much as a Surly, but the steering was a tad too quick for my liking. Salsa cross bikes had tons of clearance, last time I looked at them and were a lighter steel than the Surly. The Redlines I've worked on recently were nice, better clearance than the C-dale, not as much as Surly; I would consider their handling between the Poprad and the Surly in quickness. The Trek X0-1 that I commuted on and did all our group road rides on was (still is) an awesome all round bike. Couldn't handle 45mm tires, but did 40's fine, very light aluminum frame, good compromise in steering quickness (works well on road and on rutty knarly singletrack). When I sold it (big mistake!) had to get a Surly Crosscheck AND a Surly Pacer to cover it's range. But, if I was looking for just one bike today it would have to have disc brake mounts so that it would have true all season all condition braking, and I'd want horizontal or semi-horizontal rear dropouts so I could easily single-speed/fixie with it. If I set up the geared components using continuous housing from brake/shifter lever to caliper/derailleur and I have a second handlebar/cable setup, it only takes 5 to ten minutes to switch from multispeed bike to single/fixie, that's how I do it on the Cross-check.

Good luck

supcom

You should be able to get several bikes in a one-bedroom apartment.

Get rid of the bed and sleeping bag and thermarest. That makes room for at least two more bikes.

If you have Brooks saddles on your bikes use a trainer and get rid of the chairs and sofas. That's room for about 4-5 more bikes.

Are you above ground floor with a balcony? You can hang several more bikes from the railing.

slvoid

The cannondale badboy ultra seems to do it all. Plus enough clearance to put on cross tires and go mtb'ing.
Also the specialized crossroads xc pro.

Surferbruce

bianchi axis.

LordOpie

It's like I don't even know most of y'all any more!

Supcom had it mostly right, but you should sleep on the balcony before putting anything but a beater out there.

Seriously, how can y'all stand by while this guy wants to get rid of his stable?!

If space is tight, for $100 -- the stand, four shorty bars for the other side of the stand and S&H -- and it'll hold FOUR BIKES. I just got it cuz I'm moving and space is tight for me too.

PWRDbyTRD

ROFL that's dandy!!

ddtbuck

I want to thank everyone who gave me input. I have to say that I have been motivated to keep some bikes. I guess I just wanted to have an excuse to purchase a new one. One thing I didn't mention is that I have a thing for steel and I have been thinking for a while about the Cross-Check. It seems like the total package. I think for now I will just get my 91 Stumpy up and running again (needs some drivetrain work). This is a much cheaper alternative for now.

I will be selling my Cannondale ST500 (1985 or 86)... classic touring at its finest.

Thanks again for all the different ideas.

clausen

What's the height of that stand? I need to fit another bike my locker with limited head space.

el twe

Well, hmm. I was forced into using my hybrid the other day due to brake issues on my roadie, and I now realize that hybrids are great - if you want a comfortable (for short-ish rides) around town bike.

madhouse

I used to keep 2 bikes in my dorm room... I lofted my bed and parked them underneith. I can't imagine not having the room in a one bedroom apartment... with creative storage techniques.

hi565

Yah from the description i would definetley reccomend a cyclocross bike.

timmhaan

i live in a small room in manhattan, and have three bikes plus a trainer, parts, extra wheelsets, etc. bikes really don't take up that much room if you stack them or at least lean them close together. however, if you are really keen on getting just one bike, i'd go for a mtn bike with an extra set of wheels, as suggested by several people so far.

dobber

Find a friend with a house. Rent some room in his basement or garage. Visit often.

raverson

That description describes my Jamis Nova to a T. With some slight modification it has become a very capable touring bike. If I only had one bike, I like the idea of a second set of wheels too.