Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

N+1 justification question.

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.
View Poll Results: Should I buy anothe bike
Yes. Your tiny deviation in mission statement requires an investment in new equipment.
5
71.43%
No. You’re a tool.
2
28.57%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

N+1 justification question.

Old 09-29-22, 08:19 AM
  #1  
mr,grumpy 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mr,grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston Burbs
Posts: 1,001

Bikes: 1978(ish) Peugeot PRN10e, Specialized Tricross

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 153 Post(s)
Liked 43 Times in 25 Posts
N+1 justification question.

Let’s not sugar coat this. I just want strangers on the internet to validate my sketchy decision.

i have a 6 mile ride each way to work. Currently I do this on my old trek 820 full rigid conversion with 26 inch semi slick “street” tires. It gets fro point A to point B but with no great speed. My “nice road bike” is a FX S4. The older aluminum one. It is without a doubt a faster bike but I don’t want to hang a bunch of crap off of it to make it a “commuter” nor do. I particularly want to put the wear and tear on it.

what I am thinking is that I should pick up a used Marlin. Fit some semi slick tires on it and rack it up. They are a dime a dozen around here and it would be cheeper to run one of those into the ground than replace my S4

the key factor is that I am a new computer and my #1 point of anxiety is “on time” ability. To the point where I’m either an hour early or I don’t peddle. In my imagination it’s because my commuter is too slow. ( comsideringhear ratios it’s probably “faster” than the Marlin would be but there’s no dopamine hit in calculating gear inches).

the other factor is that I have been exploring. Some farther afield dirt roads (I REFUSE to rebrand “dirt roads” as “gravel”). The S4 just isn’t cut out for this kind of activity.

so, should I buy a Marlin? (I’d be looking at a DS or cross trail but they aren’t as poplar around these parts).



__________________
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:

1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing)
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix
mr,grumpy is offline  
Old 09-29-22, 09:04 AM
  #2  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,844

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times in 1,192 Posts
If you want it; if you can afford it; if you have a place to store it; if any partner you may have won't kick you out of the house for buying it...

Sure, go ahead!
pdlamb is offline  
Likes For pdlamb:
Old 09-29-22, 10:42 AM
  #3  
79pmooney
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4742 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times in 2,509 Posts
Or - modify the 820 a little more. Put LowRider pannier rack and small panniers on. Keep the rear rack but pull the big panniers off and keep them for the occasions where you need more cargo. Set up the handlebars and stem to be closer to your good bike; both type and position. Get new wheels with skinnier rims and tires. Turn it into a fun fast ride! Want to do gravel/dirt? Just swap the wheels back.

Huge fan of LowRiders for commuting here. Been doing it for many decades. I love that the bike behaves so much better on hills when I am out of the saddle. And I know well that Boston has a few. I used to commute from Milton through Readville, up Jamaca Plain and down Goddard Ave. The second "breakthrough" for me was discovering the Ortleib panniers. Work very well on LowRiders and what you put in them stays absolutely dry. Now and 20 years from now. (My oldest are 1999.) I have memories of riding through very deep puddles in a Boston storm off the Atlantic and near putting my hubs underwater. Wish I'd had those panniers then!
79pmooney is online now  
Likes For 79pmooney:
Old 09-29-22, 11:16 AM
  #4  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
The Marlin is not a lot different than an 820. It's certainly not going to get you anywhere any sooner. You want to go faster but not use the fast bike. The fast bike, being built to a higher spec, is better able to tolerate mileage.



I have five or six bikes depending how I count but the one I absolutely keep in service at all times is the front suspension mountain bike and the second is much like your FX. Some of the ones not in service are definitely faster. If you want to go fast for not a lot of money pick up an old but good steel roadie.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17

Last edited by Darth Lefty; 09-29-22 at 11:23 AM.
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 01:46 AM
  #5  
rivers
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 375
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times in 79 Posts
What do you have to take to work? Do you need panniers or will a bikepacking style saddlebag work (I use a 6 litre saddlebag and either a small bar bag or hip pack for commuting, but I don't take anything besides a change of clothes, repair kit/tools, office keys, and maybe some lunch). Maybe buy a new "fast bike" and use the FX4 for commuting duties. Commuting is a lot more fun when it's not a slog. I don't have a dedicated commuter and use whichever bike I feel like using, unless the weather is crap/winter- then I use my gravel bike (which in the winter is set-up for road riding, unlike summer when the gravel wheels go on for off-road fun). In nice weather, I'll use my summer road bike, maybe extend the ride home or meet up with friends after work for a ride. If I have a TT after work, I have commuted on my TT bike- admittedly not the best of commuters and I do look a bit ridiculous in my skinsuit, aero helmet and a backpack, but it works. And then I have my gravel bike. In the summer, I have 40mm knobbly gravel tyres on it, which means pretty much nothing is off limits terrain wise. And I've had some really fun off-road commutes home this summer. As we move into fall and the beginning of the rainy season here in the UK, my road wheels have gone on it, as have mudguards and a set of bar mitts.
rivers is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 05:09 AM
  #6  
Ghazmh
Senior Member
 
Ghazmh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,020

Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 693 Post(s)
Liked 903 Times in 486 Posts
No, replace those heavy looking panniers with a smaller lighter pair, replace the front rack with something smaller and reconsider how much stuff you really need to schlep with you for the commute. If your doing semi daily trips to Market Basket then pick up a cheap used kids trailer for the days when you need to haul more than your new smaller lighter panniers aren’t enough.
Ghazmh is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 06:59 AM
  #7  
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,960

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 1,658 Times in 822 Posts
Justification granted.

I now have five commute-ready bikes and I like the variety. I enjoy comparing and contrasting the 'personality' of each bike.

Go ahead and get the Marlin; but by next spring you will be obsessing with some other new ride. That's how N+1 works.

Buy it, ride it, enjoy it!
BobbyG is offline  
Likes For BobbyG:
Old 09-30-22, 07:22 AM
  #8  
Gunther20
Gunther20
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Corcoran MN
Posts: 32

Bikes: Fuji Gran Fondo 1.3; Trek Boone 5; Raleigh Revenio; Fuji Altamira

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts
If you are not going to use the Marlin for occasional mountain biking I would buy a Verve instead. They are about the same price but the Verve would be a better commuter and a much more enjoyable ride.
Gunther20 is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 07:35 AM
  #9  
mr,grumpy 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mr,grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston Burbs
Posts: 1,001

Bikes: 1978(ish) Peugeot PRN10e, Specialized Tricross

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 153 Post(s)
Liked 43 Times in 25 Posts
Originally Posted by rivers
What do you have to take to work? Do you need panniers or will a bikepacking style saddlebag work (I use a 6 litre saddlebag and either a small bar bag or hip pack for commuting, but I don't take anything besides a change of clothes, repair kit/tools, office keys, and maybe some lunch). Maybe buy a new "fast bike" and use the FX4 for commuting duties. Commuting is a lot more fun when it's not a slog. I don't have a dedicated commuter and use whichever bike I feel like using, unless the weather is crap/winter- then I use my gravel bike (which in the winter is set-up for road riding, unlike summer when the gravel wheels go on for off-road fun). In nice weather, I'll use my summer road bike, maybe extend the ride home or meet up with friends after work for a ride. If I have a TT after work, I have commuted on my TT bike- admittedly not the best of commuters and I do look a bit ridiculous in my skinsuit, aero helmet and a backpack, but it works. And then I have my gravel bike. In the summer, I have 40mm knobbly gravel tyres on it, which means pretty much nothing is off limits terrain wise. And I've had some really fun off-road commutes home this summer. As we move into fall and the beginning of the rainy season here in the UK, my road wheels have gone on it, as have mudguards and a set of bar mitts.
my change of cloths and lunch and bike sundries takes up about 3/4 of one of those big bags, so that’s what I use. One of them. The basket is removable and only goes on when there will be shopping. Maybe it’s just too “upright” so it feels slower?
__________________
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:

1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing)
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix
mr,grumpy is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 07:39 AM
  #10  
mr,grumpy 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mr,grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston Burbs
Posts: 1,001

Bikes: 1978(ish) Peugeot PRN10e, Specialized Tricross

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 153 Post(s)
Liked 43 Times in 25 Posts
Originally Posted by Gunther20
If you are not going to use the Marlin for occasional mountain biking I would buy a Verve instead. They are about the same price but the Verve would be a better commuter and a much more enjoyable ride.
i picked “Marlin” because they are plentiful and cheep(ish) on the use market around here with the lower end ones (that seem better for commuting) being prevalent. I know it might seem as though I’m a trek fanboy but it’s just what’s available.
__________________
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:

1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing)
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix
mr,grumpy is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 03:59 PM
  #11  
holytrousers
hoppipola
 
holytrousers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 423

Bikes: fausto coppi

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 512 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times in 163 Posts
I don't understand this n+1 rule. Also, i don't follow rules that i don't understand. Keep it simple, stupid.
holytrousers is offline  
Old 09-30-22, 09:01 PM
  #12  
Darth Lefty 
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
When I search for decent recent mountain bikes on Craigslist I use this search string

slx|xt|xtr|sx|nx|xo|x0|xo1|x01|xx|xx1|roc*|fox|dvo|dropper medium
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 10-05-22, 05:59 PM
  #13  
sean.hwy
Senior Member
 
sean.hwy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,022

Bikes: Blur / Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 424 Post(s)
Liked 272 Times in 200 Posts
If you have space and can afford it I would spend money on a bike you would want to ride. It might not be any faster or more comfortable but you just might enjoy the ride more because it looks nicer.

At least with your bike hobby ( vs say guitars, guns, cars, archery, boats, yada-yada ) you are getting transportation, fresh air and fitness. Go spend your money.
sean.hwy is offline  
Likes For sean.hwy:
Old 10-06-22, 08:08 PM
  #14  
Korina
Happy banana slug
 
Korina's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,752

Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930

Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1524 Post(s)
Liked 1,513 Times in 906 Posts
If you're worried about speed, pedal a little harder and build up your legs. And buy the other bike. If you can afford it and have room, get it. HTH.
Korina is offline  
Likes For Korina:
Old 10-06-22, 09:21 PM
  #15  
mr,grumpy 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
mr,grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston Burbs
Posts: 1,001

Bikes: 1978(ish) Peugeot PRN10e, Specialized Tricross

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 153 Post(s)
Liked 43 Times in 25 Posts
Well, as I was looking around, I came across this little gem. It was cheep and came with the front fork racks that 79P had suggested that I fit on the 820. There were a couple of things wrong with it so I negotiated it down and got this baby for much less than $200! I figured that, even if I didn't like it much I could strip off the cool parts and sell the bike in the spring. I took her home, made some adjustments and took her for her maiden voyage tonight. It was only a short ride but I have to say, I am blown away by how smooth this bike rides! TOTALY different than the FXs4. It feels more like the spiritual descendant of the 820 mores than the ancestor of the FXs. Tomorrow is going to be her maiden voyage. Wish me luck.



__________________
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:

1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing)
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix
mr,grumpy is offline  
Likes For mr,grumpy:
Old 10-07-22, 04:56 AM
  #16  
katsup
Senior Member
 
katsup's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,775

Bikes: 1995 ParkPre Pro 825 2021 Soma Fog Cutter v2 and 2021 Cotic SolarisMax

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 606 Post(s)
Liked 557 Times in 317 Posts
The older FX were more like road bikes, while the newer ones are becoming more gravel.

NIce score, better than a Marlin for commuting. Enjoy!
katsup is offline  
Old 10-07-22, 05:15 AM
  #17  
Bogey Speedwell
Full Member
 
Bogey Speedwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
Posts: 216

Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport, State Bicycle Klunker

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 127 Times in 67 Posts
So since you probably won’t get much (life impacting $) for the 820, buy the dirt cheap used Marlin, use that for your off road adventures, and keep the 820 as a computer, evaluate after a couple months then make your decision.
Bogey Speedwell is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.