Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - How many bikes?

It's a rainy Sunday night, thanks to Ike, and I have a question, for opinions.....

I know, the answer is the number you have plus one, but really how many would be sufficient to do all types of riding, without having to make largish compromises to one kind of riding or another.

I figure full carbon road bike, for those times you want to do a century (or a double, triple?) in true TdF style, on a group ride, where everyone else is a wannabe L.A.

One full steel, touring bike, with a long wheel base, and festooned with bottle cages, racks, fenders, panniers, Brooks saddle and nice wide touring tires, for the time you decide that Tea Lake, from Toronto is doable, after all it's only 4 hours by car :D

One front suspension mountain bike, with fat knobby tires and disc brakes, for riding in mud and snow, maybe a set of these (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442420071&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693791&bmUID=1221445165686) for when it really gets nasty.....

So maybe 3? If not, which ones would you add and why?

Ideally, 3-4.

Fixed/Singlespeed commuter (own now).

Road rider (not racing machine or anything).

Loaded Tourer.

Maybe, maybe, a cyclocross rig.

According to your calculations, i have too many bikes. Since we know that is impossible, your calculations are clearly wrong.

According to your calculations, i have too many bikes. Since we know that is impossible, your calculations are clearly wrong.

So, which ones are missing, from the list?

I dunno. We have 10 I think. I have 3 (road, tour, MTB). My wife has 4 (2 road, cyclocross, MTB). My 7yo son has 2 (BMX, MTB). My 4yo has one too.

I think 5 is the next logical step from your initial list (your list describes my bikes, except my touring bike is aluminum - not steel)

1. Hardtail/SS/rigid mtb - one to use when bike #5 is out of commission
2. Fast road or road sport bike - 700X28c tires max, triple chainring is acceptable, any type of equipment
3. Touring bike that can double as a dirt road/commuter/cx(if racks and fenders are removed)
4. Citybike or cruiser - maybe a dutch bike or old 3 speed, or possibly a newer basic hybrid
5. Full susp. XC mtb, for fast group trailrides on rough trails or visits to ski resorts and the like

Right now I am missing the full suspension bike and the cruiser, but i get around town just fine on my touring bike.

I consider this a very complete list, and I am a major bike snob.

I have two now, my SS in town commuter and mtn bike. Would like to upgrade to a 29er SS/FG, a Big Dummy, and a LHT or Cross Check. I could be content with that.

But then there is that Swift folder I "need" for the metro, a cool English 3-speed, a few more SS/FGs, and something from Salsa........

Jerry

I think 3 bikes is the optimum number.

1. Fast road bike
2. Mountain bike
3. Comfortable road bike for centuries, touring, etc.

If it is really necessary to justify my fleet, I will give it a try, Everyone needs an English 3 speed for short jaunts to the store and rides with the kids and just because they are fun to ride. You need a vintage European racer to help preserve history and just because they are fun to ride. You need an 80s Japanese bike for the trainer and to loan to friends and out of town guests and just because they are fun to ride. This is in addition to the ones you have already listed.
I really need another bike as well. I just haven't figured out why yet. I will know it when I see it though.

I do well enough with the three I currently have ridable.

A Schwinn Passage, from 1986
A Nishiki Custom Sport set up as a SS/FG, 1971
Specialized Allez Triple for rec rides and long rides, 2007 model.

Ok, add a Tandem for hauling around the significant other while chatting, a recumbent trike for when you want that "driving a sports car feeling", and high racer recumbent when your butt, wrists, and back are sore, but you still want to barrel along at full speed.

I'm going to answer the question as "What's the least amount of bikes you need to scrape by?"

1. Road Bike
2. Touring bike, which can also serve as a commuter
3. Cyclocross bike (MTB can be substituted here)

Of course, you only really need one bike if it suits your needs. The flat bar bikes seem to be very utilitarian and can give good service on road, path, light trail/dirt road, as well as commute. If faced with having to have just one bike I would probably choose a Cross bike, which I ironically don't own one of.

My current stable;

1 Cannondale Road bike currently on a top secret make over mission, to be unveiled in the coming weeks. Hopefully it didn't get washed away in Houston during the hurricane where it is currently, to be painted.
1 Condor classic Reynolds 753 hand built English road bike for sunny parade or special occasion days
1 Centurion Ironman Tange 1 light weight steel road bike, currently suffering from weight weenie compulsive disorder from it's owner
1 Miyata One Ten road bike (eventual Craig's List)
1 Panasonic Sport 1000 road bike (should go to Craig's List but makes a great bad weather bike)
1 Dawes Super Galaxy Reynolds 531 touring bike that sees most of my miles
1 old school Schwinn cruiser, just because it was free and kind of cool
1 late 30's - early 40's womens Monarch step through town bike that was rescued from being scrap because it's too cool to not save, but is more work than I thought it would be. It's going to the balloon tire swap meet next month to find a good home among the balloon enthusiasts.

I really need an English 3 speed. My life is incomplete until I find one and have the money at the same time. This probably mens finally CL'ing the two bikes above, lol.

I should replace my MTB that I gave to a co-worker to get started on. It was given to me to get started on so I was paying it forward. I think a Cross bike more fits my personailty though.

My bike habit is pretty much self sustaining by selling/trading/building. It's the only way I can get approval from "She Who Must Be Obeyed".:innocent:

you need 3:

1. Race/road bike. Ride it to train on and race
2. Rain road bike. Ride it to train on in bad weather.
3. Commuter/city bike. Anything to get you to stores or anwhere else. Doesnt cost as much as your race bike.

That really can get everything done.

add more for offroad.

Hmmm... my eventual goal would be:

1. SS Rigid 29er MTB
2. Downhill MTB
3. SS/Fixie Road Bike
4. Loaded Touring Bike

I can do pretty much any XC I want with my SS, downhilling is way too much fun for me to not need one of those, the same goes for the fixie, and touring seems like an absolutely wonderful idea, not to mention the touring bike would make a good grocery-getter/errand bike.

Mind you, I already have a geared XC MTB, and 2 SS road bikes, and more than likely I'll eventually want a cyclocross and/or a racing road bike, and a cruiser seems like fun and... Yeah, I have a problem.

I'd need three.

1: Shiny road bike to try and go fast
2: Touring road bike complete with racks, fenders, and trailer
3: Hardtail XC rig

OK, I'm going to put on my flame ****** suit and ask why does it HAVE to be a road bike? Almost everyone has put a road bike for fast riding or what nots. Allot or putting down a tourer and a road bike.

What's up with THAT?

Jerry, suited up!

To add to the list...a trike of some sort, maybe a pedicab, and pull along trailer.

Jerry

OK, I'm going to put on my flame ****** suit and ask why does it HAVE to be a road bike? Almost everyone has put a road bike for fast riding or what nots. Allot or putting down a tourer and a road bike.

What's up with THAT?

Jerry, suited up!


It doesn't HAVE to be a road bike. Any bike will do. In fact, a flat bar bike, be it Hybrid, MTB, or Flat Bar road is the best bike in the world if it gets you riding.

I have some structural damage that keeps me from doing a lot of other activities. After returning to cycling on a donated MTB I found I missed a road bike since that's what I grew up riding. I didn't know if I could ride a drop bar bike, but I knew I missed the performance. I don't spend a lot of time in the drops, usually the flat part of the bar and mostly the hoods.

If I died and didn't make it to heaven and could only have ONE bike, it would be a flat bar road bike that could take wider wheels/tires. That way I could set it up for a number of different applications, but mostly road and touring.

Since I got my touring bike few weeks ago, I honestly have not logged a single mile on one of my Roadies. I want to tour next year and am changing my approach from hammering to sustained pace for endurance and distance. Now that we are getting some cooler weather, I suspect my short, but highly entertaining and humbling, attempts at a hammerfest will find their way back into my ride schedule.

Get to know this equation:

X=1+N

where X is the number of bikes you need, and N is the number of bikes you currently have.

I'm planning a total of four, eventually. Maybe only three. Anyway, here they are:

1.) Touring/Commuting bike (me: Surly LHT) - why? Why not! You need something that does it all. I love my LHT

2.) Xtracycle (me: Hardrock that's waiting for a conversion) why? Trying to inch further and further towards car-freedom, and the xtracycle is an amazing tool for that. Seeing one in person, I could easily do a week's worth of shopping at the "cheaper stores" without burning the $5 in gas required to get there. 60 trips would pay for the conversion.

3.) Some sort of gnarly MTB/29er for dirt, offroad, and snow (me: probably a Salsa Fargo or a Surly Karate Monkey). why? If you plan on riding all weather conditions, you really need a MTB, at least where I live. Studded tires on the LHT would work, but are impractical because the oft-infrequency of snow/ice during the winter, and the unpredictability of those events. And, well, I like big wheeled dork machines :). As much as I love the Fargo, currently a single speed Karate Monkey is winning this war. This will be my next bike.

and then..

4.) Road bike for speeed (no idea) why? Not sure. I've debated this one a lot, actually, because my LHT is fast enough as it is. I'd imagine if I lost the treaded 700x37 contis and threw on some nice slick 700x28 Gatorskins, she'd really fly. Who knows :).

I'm more simplistic these days. Lots of bikes would be great, but you can only ride one.

I'm planning a total of four, eventually. Maybe only three. Anyway, here they are:

1.) Touring/Commuting bike (me: Surly LHT) - why? Why not! You need something that does it all. I love my LHT

2.) Xtracycle (me: Hardrock that's waiting for a conversion) why? Trying to inch further and further towards car-freedom, and the xtracycle is an amazing tool for that. Seeing one in person, I could easily do a week's worth of shopping at the "cheaper stores" without burning the $5 in gas required to get there. 60 trips would pay for the conversion.

3.) Some sort of gnarly MTB/29er for dirt, offroad, and snow (me: probably a Salsa Fargo or a Surly Karate Monkey). why? If you plan on riding all weather conditions, you really need a MTB, at least where I live. Studded tires on the LHT would work, but are impractical because the oft-infrequency of snow/ice during the winter, and the unpredictability of those events. And, well, I like big wheeled dork machines :). As much as I love the Fargo, currently a single speed Karate Monkey is winning this war. This will be my next bike.

and then..

4.) Road bike for speeed (no idea) why? Not sure. I've debated this one a lot, actually, because my LHT is fast enough as it is. I'd imagine if I lost the treaded 700x37 contis and threw on some nice slick 700x28 Gatorskins, she'd really fly. Who knows :).

I'm more simplistic these days. Lots of bikes would be great, but you can only ride one.

OK, I get to learn something new! What's an Xtracycle? How does one convert to one, and what do you covert from?

As for trying to figure out why on a road bike, you're thinking too much.:D

Yes, you can only ride one at a time, but the well prepared cyclist has a bike AND a backup for each day of the week, . (This is a test run of an excuse before I have to use it in real life)

Honestly though, 2 bikes is the best bet. If one goes down for maintenance or disaster, you still have a back up. The MTB for bad weather and off road fun is just a very logical choice. Fortunately, I'm immune to logic.:roflmao2:

You guys don't know what you are missing by not including at least one BMX bike in your fleet. I would recommend a BMX cruiser and a 20 inch wheel as well. They are built strong, easy to maintain and it makes complete strangers laugh when a big guy goes flying off the curb on one.

I own the following and am pleased with my selection

1 full carbon 09 Tarmac Pro road bike (I built it from the frameset up)

1 aluminum/carbon Allez Elite road bike serving as a commuter

1 aluminum Rockhopper 29er mt bike.serious offroad


(yes I like specialized as you can see and the tarmac and 29er were gotten on a steep discount from specialized)

Soon to purchase a nice lugged steel touring frame (haven't decided which yet). Might get a cyclocross bike in the future, but for now I am satisfied with what I have.

JOE

Currently I have 2: My do-everything Cross Check, and my too-small PDG fixed gear.

I'd like to up the count and change the lineup...

- Keep the do-everything Cross Check, but it would be my commuter and rando rig. I'd take the racks off, and my utility bike would be

- a rigid MTB outfitted for street riding, and decked out with racks and panniers.

- A full carbon bike for club and event rides, outfitted with a compact double, wide rear cassette and bar-end shifters to make it a reasonable mid-distance rando bike as well as a ripping quick century steed.

- New frame for my fixed gear, so it fits properly and I can start riding it to work a couple days a week. Preferrably something that accepts 35-40mm ice spikers for the winter. (Leaning heavily towards picking up an IRO Rob Roy frame/fork)

I currently own 1, will shortly own none when I sell it this week, and will then own a 'bent in the next few weeks. The recumbent is to be used for fitness and commuting and my current apartment only has room to store a single bike...but we move in the spring!

Aside from that, and assuming my hand/wrist issues will be a long time resolving, I'd love a crank forward bike like the Rans Citi for neighborhood cruising with my kids. A hardtail MTB would be pretty cool to own too. I have too many hobbies as it is, owning a massive stable of bikes would just mean most of 'em wouldn't get ridden.

Need and want are often the same emotion (a-la, I need some ice cream, preferably Ben and Jerry's). That being said, I would say you should have the number of bikes you can comfortably own, and not the number that comfortably own's you (although I am a big fan of the N+1 rule).
Currently, I have a hybrid. I sold my racer because it was too small and it will soon be replaced with an LHT. Why, because I want a faster commuter and the option to go touring. Yes, my 7200 will do that, but even with some really nice grips and bar-ends, my hands still get numb on the way home from work (2o mile RT). The hybrid will stay around as the: go out and ride with family and friends, play around on the weekend, bike. Others have mentioned an English 3-speed for this purpose; fine with me, but this one's paid for.
So right now, I can comfortably own 2.
Now, I would love to be able to do some sprint-triathlons, so a racer/tri bike would probably be my 3rd bike.
In the want list, well, that's another thread.
D

OK, I'm going to put on my flame ****** suit and ask why does it HAVE to be a road bike? Almost everyone has put a road bike for fast riding or what nots. Allot or putting down a tourer and a road bike.

What's up with THAT?

Jerry, suited up!

Well, remember what I said originally:

... how many would be sufficient to do all types of riding, without having to make largish compromises to one kind of riding or another?

Using a fully loaded touring bike, for those go fast, TdF wannabe rides, is kinda like the car enthusiast going for a summer drive in the country in a minivan, when any car enthusiast will tell you that such a drive needs to be done in a drop top, sports car with a stick shift. Then again if your going for a 2 week camping trip, you need somewhere to put your stuff, and the fully loaded touring bike (like the minivan) is just the ticket. So I can see a lot of folks wanting one of each....... Heck I would like one of each, unfortunately budgetary constraints mean that I can't get either one, at least for now.:(

OK, I get to learn something new! What's an Xtracycle? How does one convert to one, and what do you covert from?

As for trying to figure out why on a road bike, you're thinking too much.:D

Yes, you can only ride one at a time, but the well prepared cyclist has a bike AND a backup for each day of the week, . (This is a test run of an excuse before I have to use it in real life)

Honestly though, 2 bikes is the best bet. If one goes down for maintenance or disaster, you still have a back up. The MTB for bad weather and off road fun is just a very logical choice. Fortunately, I'm immune to logic.:roflmao2:

You don't know what an Xtracycle is?!?!??!?
Where is the BF Police when you need them!


Jerry

You don't know what an Xtracycle is?!?!??!?
Where is the BF Police when you need them!


Jerry

An xtracycle is an add-on frame that lengthens the wheel base of your bike. The utility bikers love them.

http://radio.weblogs.com/0128644/images/2006/aug/050806_xtracycle3.jpg


http://probicycle.com/uticyclist/sj_xtracycle_s.jpg


http://www.optimalride.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/bike_xtracycle_cargo.jpg

One vintage 1972 Schwinn Paramount, One Soma Double Cross (soon to be finished), and one hybrid that will be sold in the spring.

I'll buy something next year... I have no idea what :o

Two single speed mountain bikes (always take two bikes if you have to drive to the trail), two fixed gear bikes(the whole spare thing again), 53 Schwinn DX for beer runs, and a Surly Cross Check for anything that the others don't seem right for that particular day.

I have my current hybrid I ride everywhere, whether it's for fun, commuting, or grocery shopping.

But I'd love to turn that bike into an Xtracycle so I can make it a dedicated cargo bike. Then I'd like a swish and fast road bike so I can tear up the roads like I know I'm supposed to do. I'd then add a touring bike for long trips (I dream DREAM of riding the Continental Divide from Canada to New Mexico). I'd like to learn how to mountain bike but I have to admit to a large wide yellow stripe down my bike -- a mtb may have to remain a fantasy.

If I had unlimited funds and an extra garage...

700c carbon road bike
700c SS / commuter (flip flop hub preferable)
700c touring bike
700c cyclocross bike (SS or geared)
29" SS hardtail XC bike (preferably with interchangable rigid fork)
26" hardtail dirt jump / urban assault vehicle (SS or 7/8/9 speed)
26" full suspension long travel downhill rig
26" clunker / snow bike
20" or 26" trials bike
20" BMX

I'm sure I'm missing one or two, but that's close enough.

-DR

How many you need depends on how you ride. ;)

For me it goes like this ...

One do it all carbon roadie
One DH bike, that's a down hill bike if ya did not know :D
One All mountain/XC bike, full sus.
One BMX/dirt jumper

:beer:

1 700c road bike normally geard double, for going fast on flats and gentle climbs
2. one 700c climbing/descending road bike. triple, strong wheels
3. one fully suspended mountain bike. technical trails
4. a cyclocross bike, for going fast on dirt roads
5. a touring bike.

Someone has to say it....

The proper number of bikes is N+1. :p

Well for me I use:
1.Road/commuter
2.Full suspension
3. Mtn(no shocks)bad weather commuter

I have also:
Vintage cruisers(3 in total)


Building:
Single Speed MTB

how many would be sufficient to do [B]all types of riding, without having to make largish compromises to one kind of riding or another.


Maybe I'm reading too much into it but I feel that this question is almost impossible to answer becasue very few people participate in all types of cycling. If they did they would need a whole garage full of bikes to prevent large compromises.

I think to answer the question as asked, a minimum of 20 bikes, maybe more. (in no specific order:)

1) A fixed gear track bike (no brakes) for racing at the local velo-arena
2) A steel touring bike with dual racks and low gearing for cross-state and cross-country rides
3) A carbon road bike w/ deep-v wheels and for faster paced road rides and road racing
4) A folder for riding when you travel
5) A Tri bike for time trials and triathalons
6) A longtravel full suspension downhill mountain bike
7) A lightweight XC race mountain bike
8) **A second fixed gear bike (with at least one brake) to use in alleycat races
9) A tandem
10) A multi-geared cyclocross bike
11) A BMX racing bike
12) A BMX "trick" bike
13) A Trials bike
14) A Unicycle
15) A Single Speed Cyclocross bike (they race in a different category in some places)
16) A "bone shaker" repro highwheel bike, (if you already have 19 other types of bikes you know you want one of these)
17) A recumbent
18) A tricycle
19) A "cargo" bike such as a Bakfeits (sp?)
20) A "beater" bike to use when damage/theft is a concern.

** if you are willing to use your track bike (#1) for these races then insert a Commuter bike, a hybrid with racks, fenders, and dyanmo lighting.


To answer the question I think you were really asking- Two bikes.

1) A relaxed geometry road bike that could be used for group rides or fitted with a rack for light touring.
2) An XC mountain bike for light trail riding and greenways/urban areas where the pavement is uneven.
____________________________________________________

Right now I have 3 bikes but I'm always lusting after more.
I have:
• A hardtail XC mountain bike [2007 Felt Q720]
• A Greenway/commuter bike [2008 Raleigh Detour Deluxe]
• A fixed gear/SS [2008 Motobecane Messenger]

Still on the wishlist are:
• A steel tourer [Kona Sutra]
• A folder [Dahon Mµ XL Sport]
• A tandem
• A recumbent
• A single speed cyclocross style bike (though I don't plan to race it) [Motobecane Phantomcross Uno maybe?]

That's kind of like asking how many guns a person should own.

I have 3 bikes.

Raleigh Supercourse - carbon frame Tiagra/105 road bike
Gary Fisher Advance - basic hardtail mountain bike
Forge MStreet - Hybrid with road wheels.

I've had a mt. bike as long as I can remember. I didn't ride it very often because it was so much work to ride them on a road. I bought the hybrid to see if I would ride a road type bike, and put 400 miles on it the first month. After 3 months of it, I bought the Raleigh. It's a good affordable carbon bike, with basic components. I ride it 3-4 days a week, and wish I could ride it more, but I run and swim also, so there's not as much time to ride. I decided to keep the hybrid because I ride often and when I ride with my wife, this is what I ride (no clipless pedals) and if I need to drop of my road bike for work, I still have a fast bike to ride. In the winter, I don't expect to spend cold days on the road, so I can go back to mt. biking. I am trying to decide which will be my next mt. bike, probably a 29" Fisher.

So, I'd say at least 3. Road, mountain, and recreational. If you do other types of riding, like beach cruising or cyclocross, you'll need a bike for that also.

enjoy

I currently have 4.
Old beater hardtail mountain bike used mostly in the winter or hauled on the back of the camper.
New Cannondale Lefty I just got
Older Bianchi steel touring bike
New Bianchi full carbon bike for my primary ride

Surely I need more!

i would say 6 would be good. i have 4 now. my carbon road, full suspension DH bike, trials bike(no not time trial) my rigid mtb for midnight runs to the store.

i want a full suspension XC bike since right now my DH bike is being used for everything off road. and i want a long distance bike. my summer vacation spot is about 200 miles away. be nice to have something i wouldn't mind sitting on all day and can carry stuff.