Cyclocross - Is it ok to own TWO cyclocross bikes?

I know in "cycling" world, owning 2 of any one kind of bike is considered "normal." I see nothing wrong with that. However, being a person who straddles between "cycling" world and "two young kids, marathon-running wife, 50+ hour job" world, I ask, is it ok to own 2 cyclocross bikes? My current CX, a 2006 Redline Conquest, is a great bike, even with the (very) basic component group it came with. I was more than happy with its performance this year (my 1st in racing). But now that I know I can be "competitive" in CX racing (as a lowly CAT 4), I look at my bike, and all I see is possible upgrades. Brakes, shifters, wheels, carbon fork-the list goes on.

So my question is, do I upgrade my current bike? Or do I start looking at a 2k-level bike that has some of the upgrades I'm looking for, and keep the Redline as my pit bike? I'm trying to stay half way between "cycling world" and real life, "you already have a freaking cross bike" world here, so any past experience is welcome.

Easier to get a newer, nicer bike as the 'A' bike and use the RL for the pit bike/'B' bike.

Wait till after the new year/nationals tho. Lots of stuff for sale...

M

I agree with Gummee. If you are looking to upgrade everything that you are listing, It'll be a better value to get a new bike (along with updated componentry). If you are satisfied with the performance of your current bike, you don't need a new bike, but it will motivate you more to get a new one. Since the season's coming to a close, you probably want to wait until bikes go on sale in the winter and use it for training and then racing next season. You'll get a better deal that way.

I know in "cycling" world, owning 2 of any one kind of bike is considered "normal." I see nothing wrong with that. However, being a person who straddles between "cycling" world and "two young kids, marathon-running wife, 50+ hour job" world, I ask, is it ok to own 2 cyclocross bikes? My current CX, a 2006 Redline Conquest, is a great bike, even with the (very) basic component group it came with. I was more than happy with its performance this year (my 1st in racing). But now that I know I can be "competitive" in CX racing (as a lowly CAT 4), I look at my bike, and all I see is possible upgrades. Brakes, shifters, wheels, carbon fork-the list goes on.

So my question is, do I upgrade my current bike? Or do I start looking at a 2k-level bike that has some of the upgrades I'm looking for, and keep the Redline as my pit bike? I'm trying to stay half way between "cycling world" and real life, "you already have a freaking cross bike" world here, so any past experience is welcome.

Crazy talk. You need a backup, right? ;)

I'm never one to say you shouldn't get a new bike, but (1) better components don't really make you faster, and (2) being competitive on an old bike is bad a$$.

My experience: I'm slow and not competitive. For the first three years I was slow and not competitive on a Kona Jake. Last winter I found a good deal on a Major Jake and this year I've been slow and not competitive on that. I have three CX bikes (the other being a Cross Check).

If you want a new bike, get something nice. If you want to be faster get some tubulars and train hard.

Need Someone to Hose off the other bike, next.

i ride my B bike on gravel roads during th eweek, chuck it in the van for a pit bike and race my A bike... keeps down on night before the race maintenance (and 'accidental' mechanicals)

I thought you were s'posed have two bikes, I was just at a bike store today telling myself I don't need a third.
During the Winter I've got one bike ready for snow and slop and one ready for speed on dry roads.
Having a second bike will help your pitcrew to be lazy and drunk on race day.

I'm never one to say you shouldn't get a new bike, but (1) better components don't really make you faster, and (2) being competitive on an old bike is bad a$$.

My experience: I'm slow and not competitive. For the first three years I was slow and not competitive on a Kona Jake. Last winter I found a good deal on a Major Jake and this year I've been slow and not competitive on that. I have three CX bikes (the other being a Cross Check).

If you want a new bike, get something nice. If you want to be faster get some tubulars and train hard.

Was that you in front of me? :)

Lee

thanks for the responses gentlemen. I've decided to to get a "new" bike. Problem now: internet vs. LBS. Not many shops have 58-60cm bikes for me to hop on, so I have to order sight unseen anyway....To be continued.....

Was that you in front of me? :)

Only if you were about to lap me.

FWIW I've been racing cross now for 11 years. For about 7 of those years I had a pit bike. In that time period I did not use my pit bike once. The one time I was close to using it was when I flatted with one lap to go and the pit was on the other side of the course. There was another time I didn't have the pit bike and that was when I broke my stem on the first lap. Pit bike would had been nice there.

Point being, I had the thing, traveled with it, took up bike rack space on the car and space in the hotel room and it never got any use. I just have a spare wheel set these days.

Only problem with owning 2 is that #3 is just around the corner......

Only problem with owning 2 is that #3 is just around the corner......

Problem? That's not a problem. it's a habit!

Only if you were about to lap me.

Maybe...if I were completely lost! :)

Back to your original question about owning two cross bikes, I have a similar situation to the OP. I had an older entry level cross bike. This bike is now my pit bike (needed to use it twice this year), training cross bike and sometime commuter. My newest cross bike is always set up for strickly racing and race specific training rides. Two cross bikes are working out great for me.

Canflyboy

I'm never one to say you shouldn't get a new bike, but (1) better components don't really make you faster, and (2) being competitive on an old bike is bad a$$.

My experience: I'm slow and not competitive. For the first three years I was slow and not competitive on a Kona Jake. Last winter I found a good deal on a Major Jake and this year I've been slow and not competitive on that. I have three CX bikes (the other being a Cross Check).

If you want a new bike, get something nice. If you want to be faster get some tubulars and train hard.

Right on!!!!

This is a simple math problem. If N = Number of bicycles currently owned, N+1 is the correct number of bicycles that you need. D'oh.

:)

Lee

+1

I just remembered a conversation with the designer of one the race courses around here. He was talking about getting a third bike.

One for preriding muddy courses.
One for a pit bike.
One for the race.

That way he wouldn't have to worry about starting with mud on the primary bike, and wouldn't have to worry about getting his secondary bike to the pits after the preride.

This is a simple math problem. If N = Number of bicycles currently owned, N+1 is the correct number of bicycles that you need. D'oh.

No, no, no. That equation applies to cycling in general, but for cyclocross you need backups of everything, including your backups, so the formula for the number of cyclocross bikes you need is 2(N+1).

I'll have three road bikes with Cantilever brakes and drop-bars, but none will be racing-oriented Cyclocross bikes. Does N+1=4?

No, no, no. That equation applies to cycling in general, but for cyclocross you need backups of everything, including your backups, so the formula for the number of cyclocross bikes you need is 2(N+1).

You make an excellent point. I'll go tell SWMBO I need six more cyclocross bikes. :)

Wish me luck.

Lee

I'll go tell SWMBO I need six more cyclocross bikes. :)

Wish me luck.

Lee

RIP Lee.

:)

Lee

N+1. Though I've found that W+2 is a temporary therapy for N+1.

W= Wheel-sets.

N+1. Though I've found that W+2 is a temporary therapy for N+1.

W= Wheel-sets.

Don't get me started. :)

My wife wonders why we have two sets of wheels for each of our cars, and several extra sets stacked in the shed.

Summer tires, winter tires, autocross/track setup, spare wheels and wheelsets. D'oh.

And this is the visible wheel collection. Bike wheels tuck nicely into storage closets.

Now, lessee.

- Every day wheels
- Event wheels (yep, i thought that sounded dumb when I first heard it)
- rain wheels
- winter wheels (28MM Conti Gators)
- dry course cyclocross
- muddy course cyclocross
- big fat Schwalbes for the touring bike

...etc. :)

Lee

...etc. :)

Lee

-Trainer wheel

-Snow tire wheels

See, two more should do it :)

Cross bikes are the Swiss Army knife of cycling, but better.