Living Car Free - If you could only have one bike?

Depends on how I'm feeling on a given day...for example, today I'd lean towards a Moots MooTour. Other days, other bikes.

Guess I could never have just one - though if I did it would be some sort of a tourer that can be used for all sorts of things. MooTour, Long Haul Trucker, Atlantis....so many bikes, so little time!

I have one bike that can 'do it all' (but it's not my only bike). If I had to go with just one bike, I'd keep my 1993 Specialized Crossroads Hybrid. I have Nashbar Treking handlebars on it that are great for long-distance, panniers front and back, and a Nordic trailer that can haul 150 pounds of stuff. I have used it for everything from riding Century's, to hauling trash to the dump, and hunting/fishing/camping. I have rode it on week-long tours, and on local errands, and to commute on. It has never failed me.

I'll try to post pics, as soon as I figure ouit how to get them from my cell phone to my computer.

I've only got one. A 20 year old Raleigh Technium I use for commuting, running all errands (I don't have a car) and pleasure riding. Awesome. Except when something breaks on it and it's Sunday so all the bike shops are closed...fortunately a dude a few blocks away is starting up his own bike business and I can call him on Sundays in emergencies too, so it's pretty great.

If I could only have one bike ....... then something has gone terribly wrong.

I realize that this is just a hypothetical question, but what situation could possibly limit you to only one bike (other than being homeless, in which case, I would definitly have the one bike)?

This is a really hard question. I suppose, if space were at a premium, I might want a folding bike, if they make one with enough gears (triple front, and 8 or 9 speed rear). Whatever bike I chose would obviously have to have drop-outs for a front and rear rack, fenders, etc..., so a serious road bike would be out. It would have to be capable of covering long-distances, with minimal wear and tear on the rider. A recumbent might meet these criteria, but then there is the problem of non-standard parts, should there be an emergency on the road. Most bike shops probably do not keep recumbent parts in stock.

So it narrows it down to either a mountain bike, a hybrid, or true touring bike. A true touring bike would be fast, but unless you had the money for extra 'cross' tires (unlikely in the event you could only have one bike), you would be limited to paved roads, and would not be able to use it for subsitence hunting, fishing or other off-road activities. And there would be the added hassle of having to change tires. A straight mountain bike would not be comfortable on long-distance rides, like from city-to-city. They would be slow, and the handlebars do not allow for different positions to relieve presure on the hands. This could be remedied easily, though, by replacing the handlebars with 'trekking' type bars, and replacing the tires with 1.5" multi-use tread tires. Mountain bikes are tough, and this is probably the best option. Next choice would be a hybrid, or 'city' bike. It is basically a mountain bike with 700cc tires. All you would need to do is replace the handlebars with trekking bars, and you're set. And a trailer would be an absolute necesity.

I already own both candidates. A 1993 Specialized Crossroads hybrid, and an Instep trailer, and a 1983 Schwinn Sidewinder with road tires. Both have 'trekking' handlebars, fenders, racks, bags, and I use a helmet-mounted lighting system..

I can't find the cord to transfer pictures from my camera, but as soon as I do, I'll post pics.

If I could only have one bike I'd probably want the bike I already use most days. Cargo haulin' utility bike with fat tires and aero-bars. Ridiculous thing!

as in truly being Car Free, and one bike
from my experience
hands down
a Surly Big Dummy

if you could choose the best of the best
a Rohloff hub too...
with steel drivetrain

Something steel, hardtail, with 700c wheels (that can run 23-25c tires to 2.3 29'ers), with rack mounts in the back, moveable rear dropouts (to go from single speed to geared) and a 1.25" head tube.

That way you could run gear off road, single speed on road, as a getter and as a single speed roadie (of sorts)...

Some sort of Mountain bike. (period) Where I live there is too much crap and snow at times to not have one. My road bike is just a nice plus to go faster in the summer and my foldy just makes it easier to travel on Bus or whatever.

If I could only have one bike ....... then something has gone terribly wrong.

:thumb::roflmao2:

Damn straight! I only had one bike for about 5-6 years...don't make me go back:twitchy:

Aaron:)

I would say an old English 3 speed too....But, A Trek 520 comes to mind. Steel, durable, still fast, and not to mention i can put panniers, racks, fenders, lights, trailors, etc, etc onto it. However, i would have a rugged hand build wheel set, probably an older 3 speed sturmey archer hub with a 4 speed freewheel, and a triple crank. Than, i would have drum brakes front and rear, with a dynohub...all sturmey. Funny..i could keep going on and on haha.

the one i have now :o) fixedgear 48x16....but if I moved to a hilly area I'd switch out the 48. I think once you get used to fixed it's hard to go back. I do have a 17 yaer old mtn bike...my original ride :)..but once i got comfortable with the fixed it just sat. Something about the simplicity of them that I really really like. But maybe I'm lucky, I live right in the middle of EVERYTHING so I don't have complications for hauling things or having to carry a bunch of stuff at once. I do ride it the 16 miles roundtrip for my work.... but that just made me love it more.

Be Safe
Lofi

Litespeed Obed 29er; Winwood carbon cross fork; MTB parts pick, w/ 1 wheelset 29, 1 set 26, disc brakes of course, for the most versatility and product life.