Living Car Free - How to be happy with just one bike?

The real problem is over-sized garages and apartments whose living rooms are allowed to double as over-sized garages. We probably need to reduce the square footage of our living accommodations and this problem will solve itself. :)

I wish that were the case, but here locally, even with a large amount of older homes built in the 30's and 40's with smaller rooms and garages, our local mini storage outfits are doing a booming business. I think that it's a lot to do on how inexpensive many items have become, as well as easier credit available in recent years, enabling people to buy more. Case in point, my mother's cruiser style bike bought for 45 US dollars in the early 40's would cost over 1100 dollars today, and same with my '69 Varsity, bought for 100 US dollars, now would be well over 500. To think, my parents were able to fit their two cars, lawn equipment, personal belongings, tools, and our bikes into their garage long before the advent of our local mini storages.

Houston,

Do they have winter in Texas? :) I'm going to be riding my precious in winter--it will just give me more time to check it out as I clean it off regularly. (I'll admit, I clean it at least once a week in good weather too, gives me a chance to check all the components, especially the wheels, spokes, brakes and cables.)

If I had my druthers, I'd have a 3 speed for daily commuting, a CX bike with fenders for off-road riding, backup commuting (or on super windy days), and general fun-riding, and a dedicated road bike for club rides, and just for fun. I've got all three of those, but at this point, the road bike is up on jackstands, as it were...

i probably could survive with only one bike but i don't really want to. i currently have three:

a track bike for quick trips at high speeds, showing off, and general fun/jackassery
a fixed gear semi-beater conversion from an 80's road frame for longer trips, commuting and leaving locked up for longer periods
and a geared CX bike with knobby tires, rack, and fenders for use when the weather is nasty or i'm hauling groceries etc.

i'd like to add a legit road bike to my stable but for now i don't have the funds or the appartment space.

i only have one bike. i just need one bike for what i do. i suppose if you go further than a 15 mile trip you might need to have some kind of special bike.
i commute to work,run errands,and just do short recreational rides. i can't see the need for a different bike, i mean how much of a different ride can you get from one bike to another unless you are into racing bikes or going on super long tours?

I have three bikes. One's an out-of-service mtb that I've had since '92. It's also the bike that got me back into cycling 3.5 years ago. It just lingers in the garden.

My next bike is my favorite one, an rb. I dont want any other bike, but recently I bought a cx. And i just cant get round the idea of having 2 (functioning) bikes. I dont really need them, and they're too much to manage.

I prefer to have just one, but looks like I'll have to keep two for some time.

I have three bicycles - A Surly Big Dummy (http://surlybikes.com/bikes/big_dummy_complete/), an Alex Moulton Double Pylon (http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/models/NSDoublePylon.html), and a Surly Cross-Check. I used to think I could get by with just the Moulton but the Big Dummy lets me do so much I used to do with the car that involved hauling heavy or large things. I tried using a trailer for loads but the xtracycle concept just plan works better and is less hassle. My commute is a bit long for the Big Dummy (22 miles each way) making the Moulton a much better alternative. The Surly Cross-Check is my spare bike for when the other are temporarily out of order - it does fine for the commute but can also carry a fair amount in the panniers. I don't need any more bicycles because the Big Dummy and the Moulton are really so good at what they do. The Moulton is undoubtedly the most comfortable bicycle there is, handles extremely well, is light, is fast, but can also carry a lot with the touring rack and on top of all that it can be packed into a standard size suitcase!

i mean how much of a different ride can you get from one bike to another unless you are into racing bikes or going on super long tours?

Try a recumbent and you'll find out. :D

i only have one bike. i just need one bike for what i do. i suppose if you go further than a 15 mile trip you might need to have some kind of special bike.
i commute to work,run errands,and just do short recreational rides. i can't see the need for a different bike, i mean how much of a different ride can you get from one bike to another unless you are into racing bikes or going on super long tours?

Plenty of differences. I posted earlier that at MINIMUM I would have 2 bikes in case something happens to the main one. I have many more than that because I collect and enjoy using the ones I have. There is a world of difference in the ride between my Redline R530 city bike and my Giant Excursion with the drop bars. In my case my Twenty is my go to bike so I can take one on the road with me, otherwise I wouldn't be able to ride for a large part of the year.

Aaron :)

I've had one bike for everything,(the same bike)for the last 32 years.I have no car,whats the problem? I'm happy!

It goes cross country and to the local store and takes me to work every morning.One bike works fine.

I have had one bike and no car since 2002, and the same bike at that - a 2001 Diamondback Topenga Comp. I've used this bike for everything from mountain bike trails and courses, to single track, to 20 mile recreational rides, to centuries, as well as using it as a year round commuter and to do errands. When I was an undergrad, I even took it down to the local skate park and rode it over the jump sequence and on the half-pipe (although the front shock hasn't really been the same since I tried to dodge a kid mid-flight). I've turned the bike into a virtual tank, and it has kept on ticking. I've only had to replace the drive train and wheels, and I even still have the original derailleurs and pedals. Once you find that bike that fits you like a glove and does everything you ask, there is no reason to get another.

Why do you want to live a simple life ?

Have you tried living a non-simple life, one where your sole objective is to acquire materialistic goods? You should try that path, you may even enjoy it for a while. You might even enjoy it forever. But if you ever get sick of it, then you would have learnt the requirement for just a few things in life. And if that means just one bike, so be it.

Once you find that bike that fits you like a glove and does everything you ask, there is no reason to get another.

I can think of several. ;)

1) It breaks.
2) You move to an area with different terrain and or weather.
3) You find other things you want to do on your bike.

Interesting points. Thanks for weighing in, everyone. I agree it's all too easy to just look and drool over bikes on the internet and buy frames and parts without even thinking about it. That, and too much space to be able to store bikes is a recipe for disaster. I have them all spread out - some in the bedroom, some in the garage, some in the dining room. Although the fact that they are in separate areas could mean that I don't have enough space?

I see that some people can be satisfied with just one bike. It should be about riding your bike, not riding the bike you think you should be riding. Admittedly, it's been hard to reverse that attitude - why ride a mountain bike w/slicks on the road when I could be riding a road bike! I guess part of it is the convenience of not having to change tires, but also because riding a road bike on a nice road is enjoyable. Maybe I shouldn't be beating myself up for it.

In the end, I don't think I could ever be a one-bike person, and I guess it's okay to admit that. But I will still try to consolidate.

Some progress has been made! I sold the least used bike of them all today. Down to 6.

If I had my druthers, I'd have a 3 speed for daily commuting, a CX bike with fenders for off-road riding, backup commuting (or on super windy days), and general fun-riding, and a dedicated road bike for club rides, and just for fun. I've got all three of those, but at this point, the road bike is up on jackstands, as it were...

This is more or less what I have. A 7-speed commuter bike that also sees duty hauling the trailers, a CX bike that sees everything from commuting to half-loaded touring to winter training, and a racing bike. I could see getting a MTB, but that would be all I "need".

why ride a mountain bike w/slicks on the road when I could be riding a road bike!

Potholes! ;)

I can't see having less than two bikes, and I would prefer three.

Commuter
Hardtail Mountain Bike (also doubles as bad weather bike)
Cargo Bike or Grocery Getter


Living close to MTB trails, I just can't live without my hardtail. If I was in the city, it would be easy to do without...but I'd definitely want a cargo bike of some type. I really don't think one bike is going to do everything unless you compromise on speed, carrying capacity, and off-road capability. Having said that(ha!), if you only do one type of riding 90% of the time just get a bike that is designed for that task.

Your thoughts? Any ideas on how to thin out the herd? I have 4 right now, with a 5th currently being built up, and plans for a 6th. What is wrong with me? I try to rationalize to myself that each bike has a specific purpose (which they do for the most part), but I'm pretty sure I'm kidding myself here. I'm just getting tired of oiling chains and airing up tires, I guess.

I'll pose these questions to you in hopes it will offer some perspective on your situation-

• In your kitchen do you just keep one single knife for anything you might need to cut or do you have a butter/table knife, a steak knife, and a bread knife?
• In your toolbox do you just keep one screwdriver or do you have a couple different sizes of flat and philips heads?
• On your shelf do you keep only one book to read over and over or do you have an array of books about different things?

Bikes are tools to the car-free and as such there is nothing wrong with having "the right tool for the right job".

If I could have only one bike it would be a mountain bike.

I rarely ride more than 25 miles a day, which is practical with a MTB. I like to ride on trails, alleys and gravel roads as well as being on the streets a lot--usually wihtin the same trip.

The MTB is rugged, better in bad weather IMO, good for heavy loads and more adaptable than some other bikes. You can easily put fenders and panniers on one. (but check the kick clearance for panniers, as some MTBs have a short wheelbase.)

Downside--it's hard to maintain speeds much over 16 mph, so not good on those long road commutes.

Actually, if you're cursed with, or determined to, live with only one bike, a mountain bike - and a couple of different sets of tyres (or wheels, if you want to do the change quickly) would handle everything. I've currently got a Bianchi Nyala (no suspension) that's set up for heavy, four pannier plus camping equipment, touring. Since I'm not currently vacationing anywhere, it's at work as my urban lunch time errand runner. Swap over to serious off-road tyres, and I can see why it would be any worse than my Gary Fisher Gitchie Gummee (also non-suspension). OK, maybe I'd unbolt the front pannier racks.

I run 26x2.0's for the urban, and that's my usual size for off-road. For touring, I'd probably go with a 26x1.75 higher pressure tyre.

Potholes! ;)

Agreed. I actually like my converted mountain bike as an urban commuter, if only because those big, fat street tyres are wonderful for taking out the bad pavement. I much prefer my 3x7 mountain bike over my fixie/single speed for urban running, errands, etc.

[QU
Bike addiction is a serious problem ..
I can relate

Man I would think 2wice about Texas..
1you dont belong
2you aint welcome..
sorry to be so blunt

Agreed. I actually like my converted mountain bike as an urban commuter, if only because those big, fat street tyres are wonderful for taking out the bad pavement. I much prefer my 3x7 mountain bike over my fixie/single speed for urban running, errands, etc.

I agree too. I have two converted hard tails (rigid forks), one for decent weather and one set up now with studs. With this kind of bike you also have the versatility of easily fitting fenders and racks too. You can take em anywhere, even unpaved trails, no problem.

Unlike automobiles that complicate life, more bicycles makes life less complicated. Bicycles do not deteriorate simply by sitting and waiting. Bicycles don't have monthly insurance premiums whether they sit idle or are in use.

Bicycles are so cheap to own and maintain that the only reason to restrict yourself to one bicycle is space.

I regularly use six bicycles; A lightweight for getting places fast, a bike with baskets for shopping, a strong bicycle with a granny gear a trailer for freighting bigger loads, a mountain bike for recreation and icy conditions, A bike with coaster brakes for running my dog, and one bike for spare. I suppose you could probably get by with two bikes; one for summer, one for winter, and to act as a spare, but why?

Six might indicate more than just one's 'needs.'.. Heck. You only live once if you got it why not, what makes you happy is satisfying one's needs. If you have to financially struggle , that is another matter..... I guess one could be happy with just one bike.. But, you do have different styles of riding, such as commuting requiring one to carry stuff- or just out for a Sunday ride.. Tooling about on a bike is not using gas, so why feel all guilt prone.

]Six might indicate more than just one's 'needs[/B].'.. Heck. You only live once if you got it why not, what makes you happy is satisfying one's needs. If you have to financially struggle , that is another matter..... I guess one could be happy with just one bike.. But, you do have different styles of riding, such as commuting requiring one to carry stuff- or just out for a Sunday ride.. Tooling about on a bike is not using gas, so why feel all guilt prone.

Well, actually, I said that I have six bikes that I use regularly. In fact, I have 75 bicycles (down from over 150). Yup, that IS more than you really need. However, I collect bicycles and they generate several thousand dollars per year for me to spend on fun stuff - like bicycles and bicycle vacations.

Like I said, you just can't hardly go wrong by having a bunch of bicycles...

Where's the waste, as long as you don't have to rent a storage unit or build a new garage just for bikes..Sounds like you are not going in the hole , financially........ But, then you might have the house so strewn with bikes, you have to sleep outside in a tent.?

I don't think it's possible, you have to have at least one spare for breakdowns, and .. Where N= the number of bikes you own, N+1 is the number of bikes you should have

Where's the waste, as long as you don't have to rent a storage unit or build a new garage just for bikes..Sounds like you are not going in the hole , financially........ But, then you might have the house so strewn with bikes, you have to sleep outside in a tent.?

At my house we have 7 bikes right now. Four of them are mine and while I have the room... sort of... it begins to seem like a lot of clutter.

Plus, you end up spending more time fixing up the bikes than you do riding them.

I'm currently at one, but that can't last. This weekend I put full fenders on my road bike (Miele Doral, basically a touring frame) and redid the lights and rack setup. So it's now a full commuter. My girlfriend's the same height as me so I can snake her Peugeot as a spare if the Miele's out of service, but I really need to find something light and fast for Sunday afternoons.

I also just finalized the arrangements to sell my first true love tomorrow evening. It was my second bike (as an adult), but it's the one I put over 4,000 miles on. I need the money and the space in the back room for the aforementioned light and fast sunday bike, but it's still a bit sad.

I currently am happy with one bike, a Surly LHT built up as more of a road bike, but with fatter slick tires. I'm on an extended intermitent bike tour so one bike is all I can take with me. I've used the bike for touring (obviously), roadie group rides, commuting, grocery getting, fire road riding, and even bike polo. If I swapped out the tires for some knobbies I'd be happy to do some cyclocross/mtb riding. Slick 23mm tires would allow me to road race competitively. One bike satisfies all my usual needs.

Has anyone considered borrowing, renting or sharing bikes for unusual circumstances? That's what I'd do if my bike broke. That's what I did for my Half Ironman Triathlon.

I currently am happy with one bike, a Surly LHT built up as more of a road bike, but with fatter slick tires. I'm on an extended intermitent bike tour so one bike is all I can take with me. I've used the bike for touring (obviously), roadie group rides, commuting, grocery getting, fire road riding, and even bike polo. If I swapped out the tires for some knobbies I'd be happy to do some cyclocross/mtb riding. Slick 23mm tires would allow me to road race competitively. One bike satisfies all my usual needs.

Has anyone considered borrowing, renting or sharing bikes for unusual circumstances? That's what I'd do if my bike broke. That's what I did for my Half Ironman Triathlon.

Unfortunately I am the only person around my area that HAS a bike or in my case bikes. No rentals, zip, none, nada. I have borrowed a bike before for the 2006 ABCE in Minneapolis. I learned my lesson on that one, if I am going to borrow a bike to ride 40+ miles on I WILL bring my own saddle next time.:o Another issue is sizing, my wife and I are near the end of the size scale for bikes. I ride a 65cm and she rides a 43cm, not exactly common sizes.

FWIW I can see only having one bike on tour, but if I were living car free and depending on a bike as my primary transportation I would have backup.

Aaron:)

There are a lot of good responses here. I'm going to chime in and posit that it's plausible to have only one bike if you've got an obsessive bike addiction (like mine). If I had the space, I'd probably have a road bike, single speed cafe bike, hard tail mountain bike, brevet bike, and vintage bike.....but that's not a reality for me now.

I live in a condo so I only have space for one bike, my fiance's bike, the trainer and an extra wheelset. In order to keep my spending habits on check, I decided to purchase a pretty bike that is great as a utility bike--I have a Rivendell Sam Hillborne. While it's definitely not a super high end bike, it sure is pretty and versatile. It's also something that I enjoy aesthetically when not riding it. With fenders, racks, and bags on it, I have no trouble doing grocery shopping, going to the coffee shop, or commuting to work. I can also manage to keep up with the intermediate club riders on carbon bikes because we keep paces from 18-22mph when I remove all the bags. When swapping wheelsets (wider wheels w/knobbies), bike is great off road. I'm also thiking of doing a couple of cross races for fun--we'll see.

Given my situation, I have been quite happy with the best looking and most versatile bike within my budget.