A decent Gitane popped up on CL last night that happened to be right down the street from me. It was a decent lugged steel frame in my size, but was otherwise unremarkable. Steel 700c rims, stem shifters, low end simplex components, crappy seat. I could have had it for $45. I passed! I think it's the first bike I ever looked at that was cheap , complete, and ridable that I passed on. It felt good

In the winter time when I'm in wrenching mode I tend to load up on bikes, then when it gets warm and I start to really enjoy my favorite bikes I start to think about quality rather than quantity and I start to think about trimming down my collection. How many bikes do I really need that I don't ever ride? The answer is zero.

So I think I can happily exist with just 4-6 bikes Sure, if the perfect flip opportunity presents itself I'll be forced to take it, but overall I'm going to try to stick to a smaller , more efficient collection of bikes.


At least until next winter.