How Many Is Too Many?
03-11-16, 06:01 PM
#1
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How Many Is Too Many?
Looking back, I've had a fair few number of bikes... just not all at once. But that seems to be changing.
I'm quite "Bianchi-heavy", with a '96 Ti Megatube, a '00 M Alloy Pro, and most recently a Sprint 76. I love celeste, but more importantly, the geometry feels right, so I've stuck with what feels right.
After commuting on the Sprint 76, I'm really loving it, and am thinking about taking it on the next recreational ride. I put a 9-speed Campy Mirage/Veloce group on it (inherited from the M Alloy Pro, which got a 10-speed Chorus upgrade, plus it works really well filtering in traffic), and with clipless pedals and 25mm tyres it breezes through city streets like nobody's business.
But I'm thinking of not stopping there. Photos posted on BF of the most lovely Colnagos, and coming across an '80s Kettler Strato Alu Rad (oddball? but I can't shake it) have got me lusting after another.
So the question: "How many is too many?" Should I consider making room in the shed? Or is it a rational, defensible position to possess a Ti, Al, steel... and a couple more (L'Eroica-ready, proper vintage?)... bikes, to suit whatever mood you're in?
I'm quite "Bianchi-heavy", with a '96 Ti Megatube, a '00 M Alloy Pro, and most recently a Sprint 76. I love celeste, but more importantly, the geometry feels right, so I've stuck with what feels right.
After commuting on the Sprint 76, I'm really loving it, and am thinking about taking it on the next recreational ride. I put a 9-speed Campy Mirage/Veloce group on it (inherited from the M Alloy Pro, which got a 10-speed Chorus upgrade, plus it works really well filtering in traffic), and with clipless pedals and 25mm tyres it breezes through city streets like nobody's business.
But I'm thinking of not stopping there. Photos posted on BF of the most lovely Colnagos, and coming across an '80s Kettler Strato Alu Rad (oddball? but I can't shake it) have got me lusting after another.
So the question: "How many is too many?" Should I consider making room in the shed? Or is it a rational, defensible position to possess a Ti, Al, steel... and a couple more (L'Eroica-ready, proper vintage?)... bikes, to suit whatever mood you're in?
03-11-16, 06:13 PM
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1 over what you can responsibly store.
edit: your definition of 'responsibly' rules.
edit: your definition of 'responsibly' rules.
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03-11-16, 06:13 PM
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I would define "too many" as a point reached where I would need to store a nice bike outside in the elements (or in a living area that my family would object to) because I no longer have the capacity in my garage.
And of course, it's perfectly fair to put hooks on the garage wall/ceiling to make that number as large as possible. But we're firmly in agreement that our 2-car garage will always be able to accommodate 2 cars.
And of course, it's perfectly fair to put hooks on the garage wall/ceiling to make that number as large as possible. But we're firmly in agreement that our 2-car garage will always be able to accommodate 2 cars.
03-11-16, 06:15 PM
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Once any bike in the collection is ignored, the owner is probably reaching a limit.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 03-11-16 at 06:21 PM.
03-11-16, 06:19 PM
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03-11-16, 06:20 PM
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03-11-16, 06:27 PM
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03-11-16, 06:33 PM
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If I can figure out a way to store bikes inside my wife's '68 Charger restoration project I can probably get to 20.
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Last edited by Andy_K; 03-11-16 at 06:45 PM.
03-11-16, 06:35 PM
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03-11-16, 06:48 PM
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The rule of thumb is that the number and value of bicycles must not exceed the size and value of your spouse's collection(s).
Last edited by T-Mar; 03-11-16 at 06:52 PM.
03-11-16, 07:02 PM
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True: maintain a competitive fiscal space for all; but this cannot turn into an "arms race". (Sounds more like a generic prescription for a successful marriage.)
03-11-16, 07:11 PM
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03-11-16, 07:23 PM
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How do you keep up with many bikes. I mean tires innertubes cyclocomputer. I have 3 road bikes. One TT bike. And one mountain bike. Do you use the same wheels in all of your bikes?
03-11-16, 08:10 PM
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Trying to get to 20. Around 30 right now. N-3 for the year.
I've come to the conclusion that I have a two lane bike collection. One is historical-California and US maker's, the other is more current-not necessarily modern, just not classic. They all get ridden. The historical less often, by far.
I love them all. Oh, and I was looking at CL today.....
I've come to the conclusion that I have a two lane bike collection. One is historical-California and US maker's, the other is more current-not necessarily modern, just not classic. They all get ridden. The historical less often, by far.
I love them all. Oh, and I was looking at CL today.....
03-11-16, 08:22 PM
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03-11-16, 08:23 PM
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More like how many is too few? 
You wife will let you know when you go too far. Just keep swimming.....
You wife will let you know when you go too far. Just keep swimming.....
Last edited by Bikerider007; 03-11-16 at 09:00 PM.
03-11-16, 08:32 PM
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No!
Going by that logic I would have 1 bike to match her 1 sewing machine. Her fabric collection is worth about as much as my 2 pairs of cycling shoes. Besides that she doesn't collect anything.
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03-11-16, 08:38 PM
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...I would be the first to admit I have too many bicycles, but have not counted them recently. Sadly, I can offer you no hard number.
...I would be the first to admit I have too many bicycles, but have not counted them recently. Sadly, I can offer you no hard number.
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03-11-16, 08:46 PM
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I have 8 bikes. So 9 is too many. Unless I buy another bike. Then 10 will be too many. Definitely 10. Unless I buy 2 bikes. Then 11. On the other hand, if I sell a bike, then 8 will be too many.
Let me have a bit more tequila and I'll clear this conundrum right up.
Let me have a bit more tequila and I'll clear this conundrum right up.
03-11-16, 10:53 PM
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I think of what I can and do ride. I believe that I have some really cool bikes- and the time that I get to ride, that I am actually able to ride- I haven't ridden several of my bikes "enough."
That's my only criteria- what I feel guilty about not riding.
That's my only criteria- what I feel guilty about not riding.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
03-11-16, 10:57 PM
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Bicycles!? That's nothing! I have a bare minimum of vintage bicycles (three, plus two other family bikes) but I also now have two vintage cars (one of which is stored in my neighbor's garage in exchange for dog care duties). Let me tell you, car collecting is a vastly more difficult endeavor than bike collecting when it comes to space to store them (and parts costs). One vintage sports car occupies the space of approximately ten vintage bikes.
03-11-16, 11:05 PM
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When you start looking at getting more repair stands for not much reason other than you have a lot of bikes haha