Nate8727

Anyone have multiple bikes for different uses?

I have just the hybrid for now, but that got me thinking about other possibilities... Trails, etc...

Interesting to see how different everyone can be.

Koyote

I think you'll find that most posters own multiple bikes; this is a forum for cycling enthusiasts, after all.

That doesn't mean that you need multiple bikes...And it doesn't mean that you don't need multiple bikes.

gpburdell

The correct number of bikes is N+1.

You'll likely find folks have varying numbers of bikes, and likely for different purposes.

I presently own two - a hybrid and a road bike.

I've had the hybrid a while. It's used for gravel (dirt roads and forest service roads) and toodling around with my wife on her ebike. As I got more into distance / road riding last year I added a road bike.

There's of course nothing wrong with just having your hybrid - if it's meeting your needs then you're good. If there's stuff you want to do which you might find adding a bike would be helpful for, then that's good too.

Velogoth

This is a very good question! I don't like being overburdened with "stuff", so I don't like the "n+1" answer. I could also do with far fewer bikes than I have. It all depends on what you want to do and whether you want "do it all" tools or specific tools finely tuned for each task.

For me, I don't like mountain biking, but I commute, use a bike for utility, and ride on the road, so here is what I have/want:

1. Commuter/Dirt roads/Rail Trails: Surly Straggler
2. Nice day road bike: 1986 Miele Beta (project bike)
3. Randonneur/long distance/off-weather road bike: Do not have
4. Utility/Beater: 1997 GT Arette (project bike)

caloso

Road bike: Specialized Tarmac
Cyclocross/Commuter: Ellsworth Roots
MTB: Canyon Exceed
TT bike: Specialized Transition
Trainer/backup road bike: Ridley Excalibur
SSCX/pit bike: On-One Pompino

soyabean

Who said we have to use them?

They are just cool to hang on the walls to collect like art

cyccommute 

As Koyote said, you don’t need multiple bikes…unless you need multiple bikes. Myself I have a road bike (that doesn’t get ridden all that often), a touring bike (that gets ridden a lot at times with long stretches of not being ridden), a road commuting bike that gets ridden the most, a hardtail mountain bike (ridden almost as much as the road commuting bike), a soft tail mountain bike for bikepacking (that gets ridden like the touring bike), a “cruiser” bike that is just cool, a dually mountain bike (ridden less than the road bike), another dually that lives at my daughter’s house, and a tandem (new to us and hasn’t been ridden much because winter got in the way)

Each bike has a purpose. Each bike gets ridden at least occasionally. Each bike could go tomorrow with the exception of the touring bike (or commuter because they are the same type of frame) and the hardtail mountain bike. I can’t live without either or some variant of either.

randallr

2: Good weather bike and wet/snowy weather bike

70sSanO

I have found it is nice to have more than one bike to use for different applications.

I have a road bike, a couple of mtb’s, (could get away with one), and a converted flat bar road bike as an all purpose bike.

If there were gravel trails where I live, I’d probably have a gravel bike. Might replace my road bike with it, but my bikes are old and costs are already sunk, so I would probably keep it.

The elements to consider are being able to afford more bikes, having easy storage for them, and most importantly is the additional bike more fun to ride than what I already have. I try not to duplicate just for the sake of having one more.

John

katsup

I have 5 bikes, but I can justify 3 categories for my use. Here is how they fit my riding:

Road / Gravel / Commuter = 2 bikes
Mountain = 1 bike
Cheaper / Backup Commuter = 2 bikes

I want more, but I am now trying to replace and not add anymore.

soyabean

That's just nonsense.

If space is the issue, just remove things in your home that you don't need, like tub, toilet... just think, the bathroom alone you can hang at least 8 bikes from the ceiling

katsup

The most I've had at one time was 12 or 13. I'm a bit of a minimalist so I go through purging phases. I do my best to ignore the voices in my head that say buy.

I have one more, but it's listed for sale so I didn't count it.

Polaris OBark

Have lots of kids, and become a polygamist, and then get all the spouses and kids several bikes each. Bonus points if they fit you, too.

soyabean

Ah, perhaps a fixie bike may be your answer

One speed, no freewheel/cassette, no brakes, not even coaster brakes.

Those New York City courier vids of these bikes used on the field are just crazy ^O^

Polaris OBark

It does sort of pose a conundrum. A bicycle itself is a very minimalist possession, and living off of a bicycle (as a bike tourist or bikepacker) means living that minimalist ethos. Yet there is a desire to acquire multiple bikes, to have a home that allows you to store them, to have a massive pickup or SUV that allows you to drive your mountain bike to the trailhead, etc.

If forced to have only one bike, it would be my "all road" gravel bike (the one in the avatar). But I also have a touring bike, a 2008 mountain bike, a more recent drop-bar bike-packing mountain bike, and a 1980s road bike (with updated components). Wife has 2 bikes. Each kid has two bikes. I have a 3 car garage and the (one) car stays outside.

soyabean

That just silly.

All the cars should stay outside so you can obtain more bikes

Park Tool stands like to have a lot of space when being used too.

urbanknight

Does not compute

Polaris OBark

I have only the one car, and I have a bench-mounted Park stand.

Polaris OBark

At which point, one might ask, am I reading an example of humor known as irony or sarcasm?

oris

Like the Vegan Cyclist said, ride allthe bikes! Meaning don't limit yourself to just a few types until you've tried it and ruled them out.

I'm the type of person that has 3 flavors of road bikes; 1 lightweight for climbing, 1 aero bike for fast group rides and 1 all purpose for general training.

livedarklions

If you're looking for multi-purpose, always check with the Swiss Army:



No toothpick, though.

CrowSeph

I have too many...
Roadbike and mountainbike are very different , my choice is basically what my friends are riding or were are we going to.
Others are vintage bike that i use mainly for slow rides and enjoyng cycling around and shoot photos for socials (for slow ride i mean a non competitive mode or any sort of training).
Also i own a folding bike use for commuiting , mostly used when is summer equipped with lights and all comforts to travel from my city to my house.

rumrunn6

I have 3, 1 of which is reserved for crashing

Reflector Guy

I pretty much only ride my Bianchi road bike, but I also have a couple other bikes not listed in my profile.... A cheap big-box road bike which only gets ridden if it's raining and I absolutely have to take a bike, and a GT mountain bike which I rarely ride because it is so heavy and clumsy.

On the other hand, I have four cars, despite being a single guy who lives alone. I'm just three cars away from having one for every day of the week!

prj71

Two road bikes. Two Fat bikes. Two Mountain bikes. One fitness bike.