sloar 

I was thinking about my bike situation earlier today. I have had several very nice classic bikes in the past. Going through the riding rotation, happy with each one but not totally satisfied. After selling, buying and building different bikes, I finally bought a Merckx corsa extra off Robbietunes, built it up with campy 10 speed. After riding it for awhile and not riding any of my other bikes I sold them all except for the Merckx. I honestly have no desire to buy another bike right now. Yeah theres a few on my must have someday list, but more for a collective value. Finally I am completely satisfied with one main bike. Ok I do have a fixed gear for commuting, but thats all I ride it for I have clipless pedals on the merckx. So how about you, could you be satisfied with just one, if so which one. Thanks, Its a slow day today at work.

oddjob2

If I were space constrained, one bike would suffice, at each of 3 homes. It would include a touring bike in Mi, a hybrid in NJ, and a MTB commuter in the ADK.

i have too many now, both personally and flip inventory. Hope to gain back space to park a car indoors!

Don Marco

Funny... I bought a Corsa Extra off of Vonruden and now don't care a fig for any of my other bikes and wish they would turn into money by some miracle.

I'll feel differently when the weather turns and pull my old 84 Trek 520 out again but for now am very happy with the Merckx.

I've even stopped shopping CL.

sloar 

The Corsa Extra is a magical bike.

linnefaulk

I had one bike for years before I got a road bike. I never thought to have two. You can only ride one at a time.

Uncle Randy

The low prices I see on vintage bikes is very tempting. Project bikes are a great way to learn the fundamentals of repair which saves money in the long run. I'm looking for bikes that sold for over $600 during the 1990s. I don't want any more bikes with 27" wheels and suicide levers.
You need at least one back up bike.

John E

For a single all-rounder, I suppose I would choose a traditional road bike with touring sport touring geometry and generous tire and mudguard clearance. The Capo fits this description nicely, although I would use 700Cx32, rather than 700Cx28, tires, and I would fit it with a period correct Pletscher mousetrap rack. However, it is a bit too nice-looking to lock-and-leave just anywhere or to press into daily driver service. I think four is a good number:


1) mountain bike (my Schwinn -- great for shopping and errands as well as for trails)

2) beater -- nothing like a rusty old UO-8 for this application

3) sport-touring or all-day bike, a bit relaxed in geometry -- Capo

4) something fast, tight, fun -- a fair weather friend, male midlife alternative to an Italian sports car -- Bianchi

sloar 

I honestly can't live with my Merckx being my only bike. I also have a nice fixed gear as my everyday beater bike. My Merckx is for when I go out in the morning to get some long hard miles in. I don't have time to mountain bike anymore, but hopefully someday. And I have plans to do some track racing next year. But if I had to I could live with just my Merckx, I would just need a second pair of pedals.

Chrome Molly

My self control ends at being completely happy with my spouse. Bikes have too many roles to play in order to have just one.

Certain rides beg for a jaunty C&V bike, whereas sometimes I just want to hammer. Mountain biking is a whole other thing as well. Even gravel roads prefer a different type of bike (I know that's getting kinda over the top, but I don't have a cross bike or I would just use whatever that was). Then there's the bike with racks that can haul adult beverages home.

Why, because I can. It has gotten to the point, in the past, where it becomes too much. Then I cull the herd and wind up building nicer bikes to fill the same roles. Winters are long, and having a project really helps keep the enthusiasm right out of the gate when the weather improves.

I have one that's the top of the pile, but when it needed repair I was happy to have another really nice road bike to use.

non-fixie 

I've spent twentyfive years without any bike and was pretty happy. But then I was spending my time, space and money on old cars. I just need stuff to tinker with and drool over.

Sir_Name 

I couldn't agree more. It's difficult to fully convince others (who aren't 'into bikes') that there really are different jobs which require different tools.
Swiss army knives are heavy and don't do any one thing terribly well.

browngw 

My Salsa Vaya and Giant Halfway Folder would get the job done for riding but I love having a couple of ongoing projects to satisfy my "tinkering" gene.

tmh657

I don't think I can ride just one. I have one that I ride more than others. My Serotta Atlanta gets the most miles. I can't say enough good things about it. There is a weight penalty when I take it out with the carbon crowd but no matter. If I get on the CAAD 10 after the Serotta there is the instant acceleration the stiffness provides but it can also feel like riding a log compared to nice steel.

I have toyed with rigid frame mountain bikes with quality steel frames and riding a sport tourer Trek 412. Had a Trek 620 but also but going pedal to the metal is what I like.

AAZ

I feel I need a backup when I do not have the time to fix/optimize my favorite one.

Barrettscv 

Only my Monstercross bike is underused due to better bikes at hand. All my other bikes are used regularly.

nesteel 

Nope. Have to have a "toy" in addition to the commuter ride. I could easily do with just the two. But why?

JBC353

No, no way. Which is OK because bikes are small and light and can hang just about anywhere. And nice CV bikes are cheap, especially compared to cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes and other toys.

rccardr 

...and speaking from direct experience, that particular Merckx is indeed a very magical bike.

xuwol7

I have asked myself this very question many, many times, what if there was a law that you could only have 1 bike (perish the thought..lol).
The question I ask myself is which one??
I am a Peugeot fan and currently have 4:

1. Crazy Horse MTB which is used in the winter with studded tires, fenders, rack, coaster brake etc.

2. Canyon Express MTB which I use when I want to tear it up off road.

3. Urban Express which is used for commuting, grocery getting etc with full luggage, rack etc

4. PX-10 when I want to go FAST...

Love this thread

seedsbelize 

No

eschlwc

three is the best number.

i have five now, which means i must sell two of these:

- '73 pr10
- '80 moto gj
- '84 davidson

just not sure which. they're all so different. and beautiful.

howeeee

I always have about 10 bikes, most are vintage Schwinn cruisers. Then I have 2 inexpensive fixed gear bikes that I ride mostly. If one has a flat, I dont have time to fix it I have another one to ride. I dont have any desire for a very expensive bike. I ride a lot, I sometime leave my bike where it can get stolen, locked or not. I want another fixed gear a little better quality than the ones I have, I will probably build one if I find a good frame. I also ride all winter in Michigan

One bike wont do it for me.

Velocivixen

I had a similar conversation with a bikey friend. The question was: "What bike would you keep in an apocalypse (could only keep one)?" I narrowed it down to a 26" wheel bike, steel of course, friction shifters (I could fix), good stopping power, could take racks & haul stuff, etc. I decided it would be the Fuji Sundance - lugged steel, roller cam brakes, ratchet friction, etc. Possibly the Sekai, because the paint already looks like it's been through an apocalypse so would fit in, but it's 5 speed & the Fuji is 6. It was pretty much a toss up.

This conversation came about around the time of the bike disaster relief trials. A 30 mile course (FEMA is involved with this as is emergency services) where cyclists have to pick up certain "supplies" (to emulate vaccines, gallons of water, etc.) and has to carry their bike (typically some sort of cargo bike) over a 3' high obstacle. Anyway its supposed to emulate how bikes will help in the event of a catastrophic emergency where cars, buses, etc. won't be running.

rando_couche

Yes, I could be happy with one bike. But it would have to be the one PERFECT one.

SP
OC, OR

rootboy 

I have four bikes. But I'm thinking of selling two of them. I could live with two.