jimmuller 

Sometimes trivial issues bother me. This thread really is about bikes, but first some examples: Does it matter if I drink Harpoon IPA from a Bar Harbor Real Ale glass? Does it matter if I run Suntour derailleurs with Shimano levers? Now about bikes.

For me the road bike is king, the ability to go from point A to point B a great distance away totally under my own power, the exploring of new places, the joy of just moving (reasonably) fast in the open air. As a result my basement is filled with more road bikes nicer than I ever imagined possible. I can't ride but one at a time though. I don't "collect" them per se. Mostly they occupy space. Every so often I consider culling the herd of its weaker members. But that has aesthetic and emotional repercussions.

The obvious candidate to be decommissioned is the UO8. It's my first derailleur bike and took me many a mile. Still, parking it would not bother me. I could even sell the frame to a fixie builder, get a little money from it, certainly net the parts I take off it - very good wheels, derailleurs, crank, etc.

But it begs the question of which bike takes it place. The UO8 has a generator and B&M lights (which I use only every so often) and a Blackburn rack. I could move them to another frame, but which one? I really hate the idea of reducing any one of them from a great road bike to a utility bike.

The Raleigh Gran Sport would be a nice commuter. Or tourer if I ever have the unlikely chance. But it is redundant as a "fast" road bike. I could say the same thing about the Centurion, built on a whim because I like the building process, but holding no special purpose in the herd. The Bertin is unique, colorful and therefore fun but it is not a great rider. The Bianchi, Masi, and (expected) the two Motos are pure road bikes, not under consideration for conversion.

Thoughts? Help me resolve this dilemma (or trilemma or quadralemma)!

Chrome Molly

Sometimes finding a good home for a decent bike helps in parting ways. Kinda like giving fluffy kittens to the neighbor kids. If you can introduce someone to the joys of C&V road biking, their collection becomes an extension of yours. My brother has a couple of my old bikes, and I still sort of get to enjoy them when we go on a couple rides a year together.

noglider 

I've started one or two threads like this, so I know where you're coming from.

the uo8 carries great memories, but it owes you nothing at this point, and you shouldn't worry about hurting its feelings. As Chrome Molly says, find an appreciative owner, and you'll be happy. Deliver stories along with the bike. The new owner might care to hear them.

Does a light set really degrade a bike. Maybe the weight, but not it's usefulness. I love my dynamo light sets, because I can jump on without preparation or worry. I know they'll work. I recently put a set on my super course, which I consider to be a light-ish bike. It doesn't feel heavy as a result. I think you'll like the lights on the gran sport.

Barrettscv 

I've never regretted selling a bike. This includes a 1974 Paramount that I sold after 40 years of ownership. I now wonder why I held on to it for so long, considering it never fit well.

The Golden Boy 

I'm sad you didn't make more of a production of selling it- That was a BEAUTIFUL bike- and my size. (That would be my "Dream" Paramount- that color scheme and everything...) If I'd known you were selling it I would have been selling my kidneys and liver to get that bike.

bradtx

Jim, A few years ago I culled, among other interests, my bicycle fleet. Every single sale had some level of emotional impact, but with so many bikes designated to different roles it was a bit silly. I started with the least used bicycles and moved up. Some parts (probably not enough) were moved to what I considered the "keepers" and I made it to three bikes, a roadie, a tourer and a mountain bike.

Since then I built another distance roadie that addressed some fitment issues from my previous one and I'm currently building another bike that's primarily aimed at expanding my skills (painting for one) and will be used as a loaner. Overall it was a positive thing to do.

Brad

Barrettscv 

A local buyer, who loves Paramounts and uses the bike during dry weather to help recover from cancer, purchased it. I was only riding it about 3 times a year. But now I have these two and they will be used several times a month when the weather permits;

The Golden Boy 

Jim,

Although I really don't have a completely unmanageable hoard of bikes- I have more than I can ride- I have an outright plan to sell one- and a recipient from here if he wants it. There's another- my first bike I bought as an adult- I think it's a really cool bike- but for whatever reason, it's just never really worked for me the way other bikes have. It is a cool bike so I really should move it on to someone that would appreciate it.

I think you and I have a slightly different philosophy about riding. I only care about the comfort, utility and aesthetic. The weight and speed are not really considerations for me.

If you've got room to hang onto something sentimental- do it. If it's something as Chrome Molly suggests- passing along an old friend for someone else to appreciate- do that.

Although I always give some of myself to the objects that I enjoy- although I don't like to think it, the object is just a commodity, and it's always hard for me to separate the sentiment from the commodity.

I used to acquire and trade guitars and amps. Like every week or two. It was kind of a sickness- I think I just wanted to play EVERYTHING. At some point I figured out what I liked, found the ones I liked and settled on them. I'm under no illusions that my current guitar stable is a collection of the best guitars I've ever played or owned. But I like them and I'm happy with them. While now it would be hard for me to part with most anything that I have- I still could. I've even gone to the scenario of what my single keeper would be for guitar and bass and respective amps. I don't ever want that to happen though.

Best wishes.

The Golden Boy 

That is really cool.

old's'cool

Originally I had set up all my bikes as commuters, and used them in rotation. My current philosophy is to assign them specific roles, and tailor their equipment accordingly. As a result, I have two dedicated commuters, a grocery-getter and a bar bike (both of which are equipped with fenders and are suitable for commuting duty in wet conditions), and three bikes I will use for pleasure rides and workouts. These last three are the ones I truly have nostalgic attachment to. I also have two "vacation bikes", which are permanently located with family (in two different, and distant locations) for my use when visiting. Finally, I have a "guest bike", which is a ladies Schwinn mountainbike, with road tires. I originally got it for when my daughter came to visit; and I hope it will get some use by future visitors. Obviously, my men's bikes are available for guest use also; frame sizes are from 54-58cm, so I should be able to accommodate anyone of nominally "average" size.
All that said, I don't have any contemplation of thinning the herd at this point, though I might look into a frame swap for the bar bike or grocery getter in favour of a full-on touring style frame at some point.

RoyIII

Why would you sell the Peugeot U08? I'd keep it.

pastorbobnlnh 

Jim,

"Spiritual guidance?" And you don't know who to turn to? I know I was a bit tied up this morning, but I guess you just couldn't wait?

Actually, I've been struggling with this same issue. Like you I find bike projects I think would be fun to build and I move forward, not even knowing if it will be worth riding. That's how I came up with my "Santa" themed bike this fall.


(Recognize the front headlight?)

Turned out it was too small for me and the S5 Sturmey Archer hub is challenging to shift the three speeds and then the high low range. But, I think I'll pull the stem and bars and put on upright handlebars, switch to a AW hub and let my daughter have it in her new home where it will be relatively flat, so all's well that ends well.

In my line of work, we call this "confession," and afterwards we do what's called an "assurance of pardon." In the C&V world, the "A of P" might go like this:

May the long neglected frameset you find or purchase,
rise from dust, dried grease, and grime.
May its races be cleaned and repacked.
May it be re-cabled, re-wrapped, re-tubed, and re-tired.
May it then be ridden and enjoyed,
if not by you, then by some fortunate lover of all things C&V!

Fahrenheit531 

The Golden Boy 

r0ckh0und 

Yesterday I took a late 80's 55.5cm Team Miyata F/F to the swap meet. I probably could have made it work for myself but I have too many projects as it is. It has been hanging in a pole barn for the last 20 some years, it was very grimy and crusty. I had a hell of a time removing the stem from the fork and in fact the Cinelli stem and Modolo bars are still quite attached to one another. The frame and fork received a lot of attention at the swap and at least a dozen people picked it up and told me the stories of the old Miyata that they once had. Some had the same exact model, others something similar. I really enjoyed listening to all the reminiscent stories of old and the love they had for their Miyata's. In the end I didn't get quite as much as I had anticipated, but I sold it to a young lady that really, really wanted it and I'm sure it's going to get many more years of use. For me, that makes it much easier to let go.

Sixty Fiver

We know that the good book frowns upon those who would mix Shimano with Suntour lest they defile the sacred holy of holies (Suntour) and likewise, mixing these with the most blessed Italian could bring down damnation and hellfire from the bike gods.

Likewise, we have been taught that an IPA has to be served in a matching glass or in a glass with no provenance lest it become bitter to the taste... we should not question divine guidance.

We should make no differentiation between bicycles as we seek a classless society where road cyclists, mountain bikers, tourists, and the rest might live and ride in peace and harmony although one can appreciate and respect one's individual passion for a certain class of bicycle.

It would appear to these eyes that the Peugeot is the kind of bicycle you seek if your path might take you on longer and leisurely journeys and it has served you well, the Centurion and Bertin are beautiful in their own right but if they do not bring you joy and do not serve you, they should be freed to live with a new master or masters.

The Gran Sport could be offered up as a tithing for the "church", especially if it is a 55cm frame as the minister favours those.

flash2070

Hold on to whatever you like and feel attached to. When it's time for you to let them go, you'll know it's the right thing to do. I've becomed attached to several bikes, but once they are gone, I seldom think about them. That give me the opportunity to find more, and satisfy my appetite for vintage road bikes! :-) I'm actually just down to three keepers, as the rest are gone or will go soon! All the best!

Flash

cyclotoine

I worked really really hard for several years to build a couple bikes that I lusted for. It started with an interest in road riding and after picking up a few cheep vintage road bikes I just wanted super record and then I just wanted nuovo record. I went through a couple frames and have a modern group on a lugged bike as well, as my riding developed and I became more focused on it I needed equipment to run with my buddies (who are better riders). I eventually settled on modern steel with a carbon fork. I have one road racing style bike and it is modern. However, I spent years restoring a nuovo record bike and collecting super record parts. So I have one super record bike and one nuovo record bike, I also have one track bike. I haven't ridden any of them in years. I can't let go. I owned and road and build many other nice bikes over that time and I have always had a fixed gear which sees most of my riding (until I moved recently), now the fixed gear is a distance roadie with fenders for wet days. I will not add another bike. I bought a nice vintage nishiki touring bike in my size last summer and as beautiful as it is, I'll never ride it. It will be sold at the spring swap meet. I have a strict rule that in order to acquire another keeper I must move along the bike that it replaces. That means that if a 1970s Masi with super record falls into my lap, the gazelle must go or it must be shifted to another duty (like fixed gear or long distance road bike and then that one most go). This keeps me down to around 10 bikes, but with my recent interest in vintage MTB my number have increased.

jimmuller 

Lots of great thoughts here. Thank you all and I look forward to additional input.

Some replies, in no particular order. I'd sell or at least disassemble and store the UO8 to create space! That's the whole point. It offers the least performance, which of course also means I worry the least when it gets wet or dirty. Road performance is important to me because it makes long distances easier. Even my commutes are road rides best done on a road bike even if it does carry lights, a rack, and robust tires.

I'm not bothered by giving a bike up but there are things to consider. For example, the Bertin frame was a gift so selling it doesn't seem right. Selling it as a complete bike would require I recoup my parts investment. Also it doesn't have great wheels, my old Normandy hubs on non-hooked bead Fiamme rims. It might be a great bike for the right person but I know no one who'd ride it. The Centurion's paint is scratched enough that any potential buyer might turn away.

I have already discovered this and have tried to reform, but it's hard.

But Pastor Bob, I do know where to turn for spiritual recovery. And I do recognize that headlight. May it illuminate your daughter's road for miles to come.

So the question is still which bikes to adapt to which purposes. My current thoughts are the UO8 goes, the GS becomes the utility/commuter, the Bertin may go even as a complete bike but with the AR2 pedals moved to the Centurion. Except for the Bertin's wheels all the other parts are good enough to keep.

Sorry, 65'er but the road bike is king.
I'm still thinkin'.

fietsbob

Beer wise We have 2 Microbreweries and a 3rd outlet for another Brewery ,

producing theirs, and trucked in from further down the coast.. the other 2 towns in the county

have Brewpubs of their Own. off to one, to watch the day's NFL football .

not to me. just dont ask them to shift themselves

the friction shifting is actually less conscious

of interbrand frictions.

jimmuller 

Well, there is certainly more friction if you mix Suntour and Shimano.

r0ckh0und 

I would skip the Harpoon IPA and move on to something barrel aged, or, at the very least use it as a gateway drug to the stronger ales. Sounds like its either the Raleigh or the Centurion...........pics?

RobbieTunes

How much? I could use some freshening up...

Sometimes, you have to get realistic, and sometimes, that means turning someone into a steel bike fan. For me, it's offering a steal on steel to a deserving novice. Create enthusiasm.

Vonruden

This is what I aspire too, however I too have been bitten buy the vinatge MTB bug. Previously it was the Track bug, prior to that the Merckx bug, before that the Italian steel bug and before the modern mtb bug), almost full circle. I seem to be failing at downsizing.

cyclotoine

I have all that. plus touring, plus fat bike now. so my list becomes:

1. super record bike ('81 gazelle)
2. Nuovo Record Bike ('72 Corky)
3. Track Bike ('81 Marinoni)
4. Modern Road bike ('92 Marin (bilatto) treviso sram red)
5. MTB ('2011 gaint anthem 29er)
6. Touring Bike (soma saga)
7. monster cross/expedition bike (bierwerk fillet brazed 2012)
8. inclement weather road bike/fixed gear (early 1980s Mairag)
9. Vintage MTB (currently 3 project frames, '91 rmb hammer, '92 RMB blizzard. '93 RMB the edge)
10. Fat bike (2014 Mukluk II)

with the one project I have on the go for resale, but is my size and I have ridden it... that makes 13 bikes...