Do you buy too many things?
09-04-21, 10:49 AM
#1
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Do you buy too many things?
I have 4 bikes, covering the vast range of riding I do, but now planning a trip with gravel roads. No, I do not own nor will buy a gravel bike, but my converted MTB to touring bike has 1.6" smooth tread tires. Well, we cannot have that. So, picked up some gravel 1.95" tires, just so the gravel will not get me. Will that additional 0.35" assist? Not much, but any excuse to buy more stuff and be sure that it is suitable for the type of riding on this trip.
Have you bought parts/gear because your present stuff was not perfect for your ride?
Have you bought parts/gear because your present stuff was not perfect for your ride?
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09-04-21, 11:10 AM
#2
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I do. I'm Goldilocks about everything, cycling included. I arguably have too much gear.
How can you know, objectively, whether you have "too much"? Well, in my case, I'm having trouble figuring out where to keep it all.
How can you know, objectively, whether you have "too much"? Well, in my case, I'm having trouble figuring out where to keep it all.
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09-04-21, 11:23 AM
#3
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Of course I have. The pursuit of perfection regarding my bikes; what works just a bit better, maybe lighter, what adds to my comfort, and just because I want it, is an inalienable right. It says so right in the USA constitution: "the pursuit of happiness". However, we all know there is no guarantee for attaining that happiness. That's the beauty of perfection. Perfectly okay to seek it, even though I can never achieve it, every step closer makes me happy.
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09-04-21, 12:08 PM
#4
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You should have bought the gravel bike. Had you bought two, that might have been too much....
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09-04-21, 04:17 PM
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I’ve only got 2 bikes (road and mtb) so I guess I have a long way to go.
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09-04-21, 07:11 PM
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09-04-21, 07:15 PM
#7
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"Do you buy too many things?"
No. Why do you ask?
No. Why do you ask?
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09-04-21, 08:32 PM
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No.
09-04-21, 09:10 PM
#10
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I saw a meme somewhere today, maybe on BF maybe on social media, I don't know.
It said when I'm sad, I buy bike parts, when I buy bike parts my wife gets mad, when my wife gets mad I get sad, when I get sad I buy bike parts.
It isn't really true for me because I don't really buy too much stuff and my wife doesn't give a hot fudge if I do. But I do get a chuckle when she asks something like "What is Velo Orange" when she is going over the checking account.
It said when I'm sad, I buy bike parts, when I buy bike parts my wife gets mad, when my wife gets mad I get sad, when I get sad I buy bike parts.
It isn't really true for me because I don't really buy too much stuff and my wife doesn't give a hot fudge if I do. But I do get a chuckle when she asks something like "What is Velo Orange" when she is going over the checking account.
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09-04-21, 09:48 PM
#11
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No. Not at all. Why do you ask?
That doesn’t include the 3 frames I have, bucket of forks (rigid and suspension), about a dozen wheels, and the worlds supply of high grade 9 speed rear derailers (XT, XTR, and XO) nor the new tandem.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
09-04-21, 10:44 PM
#12
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I have a commuter and a fat bike.
This week, the commuter advised me it needed servicing and will be offline for a bit.
This tells me that I needed at least 3 bikes.
This week, the commuter advised me it needed servicing and will be offline for a bit.
This tells me that I needed at least 3 bikes.
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09-05-21, 07:19 AM
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Absolutely! I just buy stuff that I actually need for whatever riding I'm doing. In the last few years I've either been riding on road (endurance events) or off-road on technical singletrack. Nothing in-between and so I only need two bikes to cover those two types of riding. I did have a longer travel enduro mtb for the more gnarly trail centres, but I stopped riding those a few years back and so I sold that bike in favour of a lighter, shorter travel, trail rig. For a short time I did have both mtbs, but never rode the longer travel bike again. I can understand people having multiple bikes for multiple disciplines e.g. crit racing, gran fondos, TT, gravel, XC, trail, DH etc. But some people seem to collect bikes just for the hell of it! Mine all have to have a regular functional purpose, but that's just how I roll.
Last edited by PeteHski; 09-05-21 at 05:47 PM.
09-05-21, 07:26 AM
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09-05-21, 07:45 AM
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The real world use, the difference between a 1.6 and a 1.95 is huge.
09-05-21, 07:48 AM
#17
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I got once I decided I would ride through the winter on frozen or muddy trails.
Also, I ride old bikes set up SS, so it’s a bit too easy to tinker and try every conceivable cockpit option. The end result being two very comfortable bikes and a fair number of extra handlebars and stems.
At the same time, I’m also fine with sometimes riding a bike where I shouldn’t. If you are skilled and careful, it’s amazing where you can go with 700x32 tires and live to tell of it. 😊
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 09-05-21 at 08:32 AM.
09-05-21, 09:13 AM
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Of course I have. The pursuit of perfection regarding my bikes; what works just a bit better, maybe lighter, what adds to my comfort, and just because I want it, is an inalienable right. It says so right in the USA constitution: "the pursuit of happiness". However, we all know there is no guarantee for attaining that happiness. That's the beauty of perfection. Perfectly okay to seek it, even though I can never achieve it, every step closer makes me happy.
09-05-21, 09:36 AM
#19
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1982 Lotus Supreme. Tange Champion #2 tubing, built by Tsunoda. Dura Ace EX 7200 groupset.
Another member has a better example than mine. In fact that thread is what inspired me to find mine. Here are some pictures of mine
Another member has a better example than mine. In fact that thread is what inspired me to find mine. Here are some pictures of mine
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
09-05-21, 09:49 AM
#20
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Yes!
Tim
Tim
09-05-21, 10:38 AM
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09-05-21, 04:16 PM
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I thought Abe said, "Gravel bikes are just road bikes that don't suck."
I saw it on the internet, so .......
I saw it on the internet, so .......
09-05-21, 04:46 PM
#23
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I don’t have a lot of bikes, I just have too many parts. I have an unfounded fear that started a few years ago, of looking for an older replacement part on eBay and there are none to be found.
Prior to that I didn’t give it a second thought.
John
Prior to that I didn’t give it a second thought.
John
09-13-21, 11:35 AM
#24
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I've settled on 3 bikes, road, hybrid & mountain with tires to match their respective riding surfaces. seems to be working OK. but yes, I do buy too much stuff. at least according to Wifey
