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I definitely need on more bike (but how many more after that)

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I definitely need on more bike (but how many more after that)

Old 08-11-08, 12:08 PM
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I definitely need on more bike (but how many more after that)

That should read "one more bike"

Right now I have one bike. It is a classic Panasonic road-bike with fully lugged with and aluminum frame and I like it alot. It is a great fair weather commuter and servicable for longer road rides. So at this point I realize I need a foul weather commuter. I don't care about getting wet but I want something I can ride in the wet and the snow that is a bit more stable and that is a bit more weather proof. I also want something that I can do some utility cycling with. It seems ridiculous that I should take the station wagon a mile and a half to CVS to pick some things up but with my current bike that is my only choice. I would also love to have a fancier road bike that I could ride for events but not commute on.
So can I combine the foul-weather/ winter bike with my utility goals? Say with a mtb and a trailer. Or should I get a MTB and a Big Dummy. Should I get a nicer road bike or should I just upgrade the components on this one? And how do I make the wife understand? I could just tell her that I am going to buy what I am going to buy but I prefer to have her in agreement if possible. What's reasonable?

Why am I asking you guys whats reasonable?

Last edited by BroadSTPhilly; 08-11-08 at 12:12 PM. Reason: not finished dang it.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:22 PM
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I know not many will agree with me but I like having a MTB with semi-slicks as my back up bad weather bike. I don't get snow but can get really high winds, lots of rain and the shorter, smaller frame, smaller 26" wheels make it more steady in high winds. I have front sus and it takes potholes far more comfortably than my crossbike which is handy when you don't know how deep the pothole will be cuse of water.

Its nice as well to be able to hit trails and go off road as well.

Also its a spare for when you have to take the bike in for repairs.

Either that or if someone wants to go for a ride with you.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:23 PM
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Can't have too many bikes.

I have four that are roadworthy, I rotate between them based on no particular pattern... I also have enough parts to build maybe three more, if I ever found a couple of spare frames that were worth saving.

Think twice if you're planning on making your Panasonic into your RainBike... Unless it's beat, you'll regret watching it deteriorate.

I'll suggest that you buy a secondhand hybrid or mountain bike. You can outfit it with fenders and moderately aggressive tires, and fit either old lights & blinkies... or buy some cheapo ones for it.

Eventually, you can plump for a nicer road bike. You'll have it for good days, the Panasonic for nostalgic rides (or to loan out to guests, which is what I do with my oldie) and the RainBike for those greasy-gritty-grimy days.

I ran a Trek hybrid into the ground over about ten years of hard foul weather commuting. In those days, most of my commute was via a levee-top dirt road. During and after rain, that road turned into a muddy oatmeal mess, and the grit got everywhere.

These days I commute much farther, but the whole route is paved. I use an old Specialized Crossroads, and it's none the worse for wear, other than dramatically shortened chain life.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:25 PM
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I know you really like the Panasonic but could it become your foul weather/utility bike if you put on some wider tires and panniers?

Last year I was commuting with an old Peugeot that's in really great condition. I ended up getting a newer bike for races and now the Peugeot mostly sits idle. I used a MTB for the winter. At first I couldn't bear the idea of using my Peugeot for winter but now I'm considering it. It has the clearance for wider tires. It's either that or sell it.

For me two bikes is all I can really justify.
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Old 08-11-08, 12:49 PM
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I have 28's on the Panasonic and it won't accomodate anything large than that. I think that I will probably got the second hand MTB bike to staet at least. Thanks for the advice.
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Old 08-11-08, 01:30 PM
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FWIW: I agree with the 2nd hand MTB idea. They are cheap, hardy, and flexible. Exactly what you want in a backup/beater bike.
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