General Cycling Discussion - How many bikes do you have and why?

After reading several posts, I've noticed that a lot of people have and use more than one bicycle. If you have more than one, do you really make use of all of them?

I have a 2 1/2 year old Cannondale H300 hybrid which I like a lot but was hoping to perhaps do some touring and also wanted the drop handlebars, etc, etc. so I have just bought a Devinci Caribou touring bike. I was planning to sell the Cannondale but am now wondering whether I should keep it. Will the bike be worth more to me than what little I met get from its sale?

Any opinions?

If you have a valuable play bike, it is always useful to have something a little less chichi to ride around town, for winter training etc.
My 3 bikes are all touring/sports style, I have my 1970s 5speed, kept for sentimental reasons, a nice custom touring bike, and my everyday commuter bike. Im also considering adding to the herd: a folding bike for rail travel, and either a lightweight road bike or a CX mountain bike.

I have (I beleive) 16 or so functioning bikes. Why, you ask? Cause I like bikes! I have vintage lightweights, hardtails, a dualie, commuter, urban singlespeed, vintage 3-speeds, touring bikes... I think I have at least one of everything except a 'bent or a 20" folder. Give me time.... I'm sure one of each will turn up in the garage eventually. :D

Hmm... this is making me think. I need to look into photos of each bike, both for insurance purposes and maybe to put up on a website for fun along with history, etc...

I have three bikes. My Novara Randonee is my foul-weather commuter (touring bike with fenders and front panniers). My Airborne Carpe Diem is my all-around bike (a ti light-touring bike for commuting in nice weather; all-day country rides, etc.). My Fuji Roubaix Pro is for hard workouts. I didn't really need that one, but it's just fun to have a really light road bike that's built for nothing but speed, and I got it cheap.

I think just about anyone who relies on bikes for transportation would agree that you need at least two, so you always have one ready to ride.

RichC

I briefly had 4 bikes.

A hybrid/comfort bike. A 1988 MTB. A new MTB and a new road bike. The most expensive bike was about $600.

I sold the hybrid because while it was an OK bike I wanted a little more performance. The '88 MTB was to be used for a commuter but I found I really didn't like the feel of it. The new MTB is the commuter and trail bike because it has the best fit of any bike I've ever had. And the road bike, well, it just goes faster and the fit ain't too bad.

So now I have 2 bikes. My son is using the old MTB as a road cruiser and a new MTB as a trail bike.

i currently have 4 bikes:
road bike ('98 Raleigh R700)
full suspension ('02 Specialized FSR XC) - for trails only
hardtail ('98 Norco Torrent) - commuter, touring bike and winter trail bike
rigid ('89 Specialized Stumpjumper) - city bike

i use all of them. the hardtail and full suspension each over 2000 miles last year. the road bike gets the

least frequent use, but when i do do long road rides or the occaisonal triathlon or whatever i use it.

the city bike doesn't get many miles but i ride it maybe 3-4 times a month

it's alwasy good to have more than one bike if one has to be repaired. and an expensive bike isn't the best

for cummuting in the city.

as an adult i have never sold a bike -- my college road bike was stolen :( -- and i have been very glad i

kept all of them. the city bike i could have sold for mabye $150 way back when and i've gotten plenty of use

out of it. the old hardtail i could have maybe sold for $400 (probably less) so it was definitely worth it

to keep it as a commuter and winter bike. it's nice to have a trail bike that i can get all dirty and then

get up for work the next day and the commuter is there all ready without the abuse of recreational riding

(ok, in winter this isn't true as i don't subject my fully to the salt and wet of winter)

you just can't sell older used bikes for a whole lot, yet they will funtion for years and years to come (my

'89 rigid was "retired" as a mountain bike in '97 and hasn't cost me a penny other than tubes and lights and

fenders and stuff)

i guess it depends on how much you ride (i rode about 10,000km and 65,000meters vertical in 2002) but for me

i really use all of my 4 bikes...

i think it's definitely a good idea to have at least 2...

Keep the second older bike. Always good to have a beater to ride in lousy weather or just to cruise around on and not worry about trashing your new wheels. You'll never get back a decent price on selling a used bike. Better to hand it down, donate it, give it to a good friend or a youngster or as I said use it as a backup.

I have:

Litespeed Classic - 5 years old. Best bike I've ever owned Still a beauty.

Trek 770 Steel bike - classic steel bike from early 80's converted from a road gruppo to single speed for training and commuting on flat terrain.

Cannondale mountain bike. Use for dirt riding and switching to slicks is then used for commuting and general purpose riding and foul weather rides.

Cannondale Tandem MT1000 upgraded extensively with lighter stronger wheelset and hydraulic (Magura) brakes. Used with the spouse and teenage daughter. Family time together is always nice for a change.

Eventually I'd like to get a bike set up for long-distance travel with slacker angles, more braze-ons, and longer wheelbase. That will complete my collection since I'd be out of room in the garage.

Enjoy your bikes.

If you've got the room, keep it. Always nice to have a backup.

I've got three bikes currently. Like Rich Clark I have a Novara Randonee. It gets the nod for solo commuting, errand running, and light touring. I also have a Trek 5000 road bike--it's my weekend sportster for attacking the mountain roads or for centuries and the like. The third bike is a Meridian Cascade tandem, and it is used for all of the above: commuting, errand running, weekend rides and centuries.

If I had room, I'd have a half-dozen more.

rigid ('89 Specialized Stumpjumper) - city bike

Hey Nathank! Do you have a pic of the stumpy? My urban ss is (supposedly - repainted) an '89 SJ frame. I'd be very interested to see what yours looks like

Since there used to be four BB diameter/thread standards, I thought I should own one specimen of each ...

Actually, I have 5 bicycles, covering 5 somewhat overlapping functions:

transportation, commuting, light touring: 1959 Capo "Modell Campagnolo" and 1980 Peugeot "PKN-10 Competition"

as above, plus smooth multitrack trails: 1972 Peugeot "UO-8" with knobby cyclecross tyres

as above, plus general offroad: 1988 Schwinn "Project KOM-10"

fun solo and club rides: 1982 Bianchi "Campione d'Italia"

I have two complete bikes and a project bike I just started on.

Bike #1 - 2003 K2 Mach 2.0. This is the primary bike I ride now.

Bike #2 - Pacific MTB - This is one of those 58 pound Wal-Mart specials. I may have ridden it a grand total of 10 miles.

Bike #3 - 80's Nishiki time trial bike. I picked up the frame from Ebay not log ago and will be building a time trial bike out of it. I thought the bike was cool when I first saw it in the 80's and have always wanted one. Once it's built I will do some time trials with it.

Zack

I don't think I could get by without three bikes, although until this past weekend I only had two. My three bikes are as follows:

1. '92 Univega Via Montega hybrid (Shimano LX/Deore components)
2. Trek 2300 road (Ultregra STI, carbon/aluminum frame, Spinergy Rev X wheels)
3. Trek 920 mountain bike (fitted with old suspension fork, XTR components) -- my "new" bike

The hybrid was my first bike. It still is my commuter and bike trail bike. I bought it originally because my first love was riding the Prairie Path in the Chicago area. I prefer the hybrid because it's a comfortable bike and better for hardpack trails. It's much better for commuting than a road bike or mtn bike. It's also the bike I learned my wrenching skills on (if you can call what I have "skills"!!!!).

The other two bikes are my play bikes. I have the road bike for rides with my hammerhead friends, club rides, and for road tours. The mountain bike is for the occasional off road ride and for riding around the block with my kids.

Bikes are wonderful!!!!

For me, three bikes is perfect: One good mountain bike, one good road bike, and one beater townie bike. Together, they give me the flexibility to take on just about any type of riding situation.

I have two:

1) Trek 5200 roadie. My dream bike. Impossible to ride slow. Since the weather's gotten nice I've been meeting up with a guy from my building and we knock out a fast 30 miles on the American River bike path before work.

2) Novara Triomfo roadie. My first "real" bike. I used it for riding around town, some sprint triathlons, and now it's primarily for commuting. It's got a great aluminum frame with carbon forks and seatstays but pretty crappy components. I'm thinking of upgrading the gruppo and wheels, putting on an integrated aerobar, and using it as a dedicated tri bike.

I'd like to get a good mountain bike too. Nothing fancy, just a solid hardtail for riding around Tahoe. I could put slicks on it and use it as a commuter too. (Uh oh! I think I may have already spent my tax refund in my mind....:))

I would love having more then one bike, but unfortunatlry me and my family are living in a apartment with three rooms. I have my one bike in me and my wifes bedroom and she is not complaining. But two bikes in our bedroom woud be to challenge her good will;)

I would really like one or two, maybe three or so, more bikes:D

5 bikes

2000 Giant Cypress aluminum comfort hybrid converted to road configuration, heavy duty commuter/tourer 9sp 105 STI triple, fenders, rack, etc. Currently on long term loan.

Mid-80s Bianchi Brava cro-mo road bike 9 sp Dura Ace triple STI w/double 48/34 front, 14/28 rear.

Lightweight cro-mo Tange frame self-assembled 9 sp DA double 52/39 front, 14/25 rear.

Early '80s Schwinn Voyageur touring bike set up as single speed freewheel commuter 48/18.

'70s era Trek set up as fixed gear 39/17 commuter.

Why?

Why not? :D

Keep the hybrid. You always need a spare!

Trek 5200 Oclv road bike
Trek 9.8 elite Oclv hardtail
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR full suspension
Specialized S-works road bike triple
Specialized S-works hardtail mountain bike

Yes I have the sickness :)

Bill F.

I currently own seven of the eight bikes I have purchased (dating to 1986) over the years. I gave one to my brother. Plus I have accumulated three in a addition, by default.

I don't avoid selling them. I am just too lazy to put forth the effort needed. I do ride five of them somewhat regularly.

1986 Specialized Allez SE
1987 Ross Centaur
1991 Fat Chance Wicked
1994 Giant ? Cross bike
1995 Cannondale Tandem
1998 Trek 930
1999 Lemond Zurich

My basement and garage would certainly appreciate an inventory reduction sale, but who wants to have to deal with that hassle.

I have two bikes. The first is a Independent Fabrication MTB with 29" wheels. This was my main bike for both on and off road till I got my Trek 5200. Now the IF is only used off road and the Trek is strictly road. I also had a Trek MTB but gave it to my step-son so my wife would'nt kill me when I got the 5200. I wish I could have more and differant types but it would probably mean a divorce.

The only reason I ever get rid of an old ride is if I need some funding for a new one. Otherwise I keep them.

Co-Motion Speedster
Balance 850 pro
Giant NRS1
Specialized Allez sport
Specialized Allez pro
K2 zed
K2 Sesh

Two. Only one of which I can currently ride. I'm going to fix the other one up and use it as a commuter.

Me gots three bikes:

Specialized Allez roadie. Got it for $400 with some great Mavic Cosmos rims though an ad on Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org). Had it for about 10 months so far and have put close to 7000 miles on it.

Biachi Nyala cheapo mountain bike. I bought the thing while in grad school at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1996 and have gotten every bit of money I paid for it out of it. I should buy a new mtn bike (as my friends are always suggesting). But there's too much sentimental value in it. I've put something like 10,000 miles on it by now.

An old Schwin beach cruiser that I found as a freebie. Just fixed it up and now use it as my cruise-to-the-local-7/11 for one of these:

Ridin' on all eight cylinders... (http://john.atkins.net/images/thunderbird2.jpg)

Two bikes.

I have a mountain bike and a road bike.

I do a fair bit of long distance stuff on my road bike and I also use it to commute, but there are also times that I need something that'll handle rougher roads, which is when I use the mountain bike.

I have two bikes:
[list=1]
1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS - With slicks it's my daily commuter / road ride bike. With knobbies it's my backup trail bike
2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR - Beefed up with a better fork & wheelset than the stockers and with the addition of disc brakes it's my primary off-road trail bike.
[/list=1]
You can NEVER go wrong having an extra bike. Heck take a buddy with you on a ride.

I have three: a beater huffy, a new SWEET lemond Alpe d'huez, and an older bianchi that I an going to convert to a newer campy triple.

I am working on three
right now I have a Felt F75 for the road and a Specialized Rockhopper for the mountains. I have an old Rockhopper frame that I might build up as a commuter/foul weather/all purpose ride. Budget restrictions have kept my collection low.

Q: How many bikes do you have?

A: Too many

Q: Why?

A: Haven't a clue!!

My collection:

1990 Schwinn World Sport - I bought this one when I was in my teens. Tried racing it when I first started, but as you all know it was never meant to be. It's currently in my parents shed and I am sure it will end up at my house after one of my parent’s visits. My old things have a tendency to appear at my new house after visits from the parentals.

1993 Paramount Series 5 Road bike. - I've done the bulk of my past road racing with this one. Oh Purdue. She is an old steel workhorse.

1994 Cannondale M400 with a Rock Shox 21. - I love this shock and this was my first true Mtn. Bike.

1996 Trek 990. - This is a great ride with the exception of the stock Manitou shock. It's a piece of Sh%#.

The Series 5 will become my training bike in the fall when I purchase a new road bike. The M400 brings back fond memories of college and my first trails. The 990 gets me through the trails around here and has seen some good use. The only bad thing is that looking back at these dates makes me feel old.

RunYun:beer:

Six.
1975 Peugeot UO-10, used as a nice weather commuter.
1979 Peugeot PFN10E, first real bike bought. Bought new 1980, now a Frankenbike.
1979 Peugeot PKN10E, favorite derailleur bike
1973 Peugeot PX10E, currently about halfway to being repaired as a fixed gear (should have it up and running by summer, at this point need very little-- a cog, some paint, really).
Late 80's Raliegh Citilite; I'm currently looking for a nexus drum brake seven speed freehub to build a new wheel around. Bad weather bike.
197? Motobecane touring bike. Not top of the line by any stretch of the imagination. A neighbour gave it to me two days ago because I fixed a friend's bike. Surprisingly, this bike has Dura-Ace brakes calipers, and crankset, with Matthauser brake shoes... not exactly the components you'd expect on a lower-end Motobecane. No seat or post, though, so I imagine it's an uncomfortable ride right now. I think I'll strip most of the parts for another project and rebuild it as a single speed, or rebuild it and give it away (minus the nice parts) but that's months away.

18 bikes.

I have 2 bikes because I don't have room for 3...Yet:D

I'm at 2 bikes, and both are touring bikes... well, almost.

The first one is a 1980 Vélo Sport Alpin Touring bike. I did 55 000 km with it while it was my solo bike. However, its frame has decent geometry for touring, but is a bit too flexible when very loaded, isn't perfect for long distances with a daughter in tow (trailercycle) and it's low gear wasn't low enough (low of 25 gear-inches). It's now my commuter, and I have ridden approx. 65 000 km with it. Most of the distance done in the last 2.5 years were in 3-10 km chunks: going to a store, going to work, going to church... In Winter, it also has more aggressive 700x37 cyclocross tires, which are good in the snow.
Reason I kept it when I got the new one: wasn't worth a penny at current exchange rates...

The second bike is a 2000 Trek 520. Very good touring bike. Changes from stock: XT crankset with 44-34-22 (dealer swap), custom 9-speed cassette (self-made, from two stock Shimano cassettes), Zoom adjustable stem (to get the bars higher), front lowrider and rear rack with attachment for trailercycle.
That bike has seen less mileage in 2.25 years than the commuter (approx. 8000 km), but it is used mostly for long rides, whether utility or leasure. At least half the mileage is done while towing a trailercycle or a child trailer... or both.

Regards

Just one. The 15+ YO schwinn sierra comp. I REALLY REALLY REALLY want a road bike though. Something fast, light, sleek.... a Ferrari on two wheels. I love my current bike and nothing could replace it... but I NEED a road bike LOL
I do have to maintain 4 bikes though.. the Mrs., Mine, and the 2 boys.
Doug

I've got 3. My road/commuter bike is a Yeti Road Project. My primary mountain bike is a Yeti ARC, and I have a 98 Schwinn Homegrown Factory that I have converted to a singlespeed.

I think I just tripped across another meeting of CA I have 2 right now a Specialized Sequoia (somewhere around '90 or '91 its been so long I hate to admit it but I can't remember which year) thats my commuter/errand bike and an '83 San Remo (don't ask even older but I do remember the year on that one) thats the weekend sports car and in about 3 weeks I will be picking up my '02 hard tail Bianchi Grizzly for another commuter and off road fun.

I barely have room for one now I will have 3 have been in therapy for years trying to figure out why, hmmm now if I just quit therapy I might save enough money to buy that '03 Eros I have been drooling over hmmmm 4 bikes

I have two. One beater for winter riding / backup / practising my mechanical skills, the other for daily commuting and touring on holidays.

A couple of years ago I couldn't have imagined a reason for two bikes. Then I started riding in the winter and saw what that does to a bike... As already stated: keep the old bike if you have enough space.

--J

I have five bikes -- four road and one mountain. They are all hanging upside down from the rafters of my 100 year old garage. I guess they have added too much weight, as the garage was starting to lean. So I had a local handyman put a 4x4 post three foot into the ground in concrete next to the garage, and attach to the garage interior a stainless steel cable with a turnbuckle. Now, when I see the garage leaning due to the radical bike load, I just put a few cranks into the turnbuckle, and everything is okay! It looks a little wierd to see a garage attached to an exterior post with a heavy cable, but we were able to disguise it with some lattace work. I guess I should sell a few of the bikes, but people expect you to almost give them away. :beer:

rigid ('89 Specialized Stumpjumper) - city bike

originally posted by stumpjumper
Hey Nathank! Do you have a pic of the stumpy? My urban ss is (supposedly - repainted) an '89 SJ frame. I'd be very interested to see what yours looks like

i'll have to dig up a photo sometime...
but the frame is white and grey with this 80's "fade" from the white at the front to the grey at the rear. i've seen lots of red bikes with the same frame, but i THINK these were the '90 and '88 although the '88 was slightly different (a friend had one - or was his '87?). the frame's got lots of scratches and nicks that i've never done anything about, but i think it's in decent shape.

anyway, i've replaced a lot - the wheels(hubs, rims), BB, fork (quick-release was loose and i bunny-hopped a burb and the wheel came loose and i broke the fork - luckily, no injury to me though)... but the drivetrain is original (imagine that, i replace my NEW XT/XTR stuff every 2 years now) as are the brakes and shifters, frame and seat and post... that old XT stuff just works well - indexing broke way back when, but as friction it shifts the whole range with maybe 10 minutes maintence once a year...

how is yours set up?

Old Ross road bike 12 speed permanently snapped into a cyclops trainer.

IronHorse AT-50 built up into a heavy duty commuter that has held up very well over the years and is my hard working, dependable, everyday work horse.

Early 80's Raleigh Technium freshly built up with Shimano D.A. and velocity wheels, this has been my winning race bike for a long time.

1991 Bridgestone RB-T touring bike freshly built up with Shimano D.A. tripple up front and Shimano XTR rear, Surly cross check fork and mavic 520 rims, This is my century/long distance caddy.

IronHorse MT-400, freshly built with Shimano XTR/XT ritchy rims and a Fat City straight blade ridgid fork. Built it for the rough new england trials type riding, It has held up well

Each one does a specific job for me, I built each one with carefully chosen components and wouldn't trade any of them for anything else, but I would gladly let the family grow.

I have 8 Bikes

1) Trek 1500 Road Bike -- For fast road riding !
2) Specilized FSR Endro MT bike -- for Mt bike riding at home and where ever
3) Specilized Rockhoper FS1 -- kept at office for lunch time rides
4) Giant Warp DS-1 MT bike -- for sale , nuff said
5) Burley Rock & roll Tandem -- to ride the road with the wife and/or kids
6) Fixed Gear made from a Scwinn touring bike, why not great training tool
7) A 3 Speed Road bike ( most unusual ) kept at office for training , or winter use. Not sure But good for change of pace or riding winter roads when I don't want to get all the road grime on my good bike

8) Softride Commuter ( in prcess of building it ) to Commute, more for the winter time but stilll fun


Can you ever have too Many ?

How many? - 4

Why? - Because I can't store anymore!

Like tools, each has a purpose.
Surly 1x1 MTB - my main ride, used for nearly all off road riding

Specialized beater - Single Speed Grocery getter/Errand runner outfitted with a Paul's Component flatbed rack (http://www.paulcomp.com/frmbk.html) (purchased used). Old owner left this bike outside and was going to discard when moving, gave it to me for free. I rescued it and fixed it w/ spare parts. Very good for what it's purpose.

Fuji fixed gear - my only road bike. Purchased for $2 at a police auction. Extensive rehab and a reasonable amount of money put in to it. It shares some duties w/ the Specialized.

Ibis Mojo - Hasn't been ridden in nearly a year. Reserved for those rare occasions when I might need gears or suspension. Could propably sell it but can't bear to since Ibis is out of business. If the Surly frame ever goes south, it will probably be converted to SS use.

I have six road bikes and two track bikes. I also have an old 'hacker' with cottered cranks even. Three of the road bikes are retro with friction levers. The other three are equipped with DuraAce STI. A couple of my road bikes are 'crit' models with high bottom brackets and very short wheel-bases from my racing days. One is a Reynolds 753 custom job built by Terry Dolan - a really beautiful machine that you can ride all day but is still ultra responsive. One is a TREK UCLV 2001 US Postal model with DuaAce STI. I got it because I just had to try a carbon frame for myself. (I'm impressed) The others are all steel. I usually manage to ride them all, but the TREK and two Marinonis get used the most. I love them all and can't bring myself to part with any of them. Esspecially the Dolan, I won the Canadian National Road (Masters 40-49) on it back in '90. I keep playing with the idea of getting an off-road machine but haven't gotten around to it yet. I don't have much room left in the basement for another bike!

:thumbup:

I have 34 bicycles at present - that is down from 76 bicycles which I owned about two years ago.

I have been painfully culling the collection, but now I am down to my favorites and some "project" bikes that I just can't part with.

I had hoped e-bay would save me, but I have bought more on e-bay than sold.

It is difficult to see gorgeous bikes being tossed out, so I snag the exceptional machines and try to save them.