Wildwood 

I wasn't looking on Craigslist for a bike, as 'my fleet run-eth over'.
I was looking for components to upgrade the existing bikes.

And then - there it was - a bargain price (not exactly a steal given the need for tires, cables, hoods, etc) on a red Cannondale from the 80s with original components. Not being a fan of early Cannondale race bikes, I started to move on when I noticed the rear wheel spacing well astern of the seat tube. Ah ha, a touring model with clearance for fat tires AND a nice rear rack.

And the next instant I'm coming up with excuses to buy it, even tho' I don't tour and the 'bigger tire application' is satisfied by more than 1 existing bike.

I resisted replying to the ad by telling myself that the money NOT spent on another bike would make nice upgrades for 2 or 3 bikes possible or new shoes+helmet. That argument worked for the weekend impulse, so BRAVELY resisted. But then on Monday morning, what do I check - yep, the red Cannondale is still for sale.

I reviewed my bike storage spaces (again) and they are all beyond full.
But.......... the seller is only a few miles away......... maybe I should go look at it........ maybe he will 1/2 the price to move it on..........maybe he has other things stashed away that would be useful.......maybe I'll make a friend of a cyclist who keeps a nice bike for 30+ years..........maybe this is the first bike in a collection he is selling and there are valuable old steelies available I truly desire..........MAYBE?

signed - Mr. Wishy Washy Undecided.

jetboy 

All this time spent being wishy washy and you could have already been there and purchased it!

Rotten

You don't stop yourself. You go get it and post it as available in the for sale or trade section here.
Save it from an unknown fate by getting it into hands that will truly appreciate it.
I have no need for another bike but if a Cannondale tourer in my size showed up locally I'd be all over it.

MarcoBianchi

If you doubt, there is no doubt.

3speedslow

vintagerando

I am in this situation too. Absolutely, do not need another bike. But, during a casual conversation, it came to light that an associate has a Frejus; real, real nice one. What can I do? Gotta look into it further; what is model? components? What about price?
so, I am back in the thick of it.

Wildwood 

Never. I'd only have 1.
Not married for the purpose of Obeying, but you do try harder the 2nd time around.

Wildwood 

For a nice old Frejus, I'd jump.
I swore off Aluminium frames decades ago. Rightly or Wrongly is sorta immaterial.

bikemig 

+ 1. Best advice so far on this thread!

Cyclist0108

I got married.

Cyclist0108

Considering our first "date" was going to a bike shop ... when she was buying a bike.

cqlink 

How do you stop yourself?

Easy. Embrace reality. Disregard the thought entirely since it's not going to happen.

Considering this notion is a waste of time precluding you from looking for the next bike.

Velo Mule

It is hard to resist a nice long wheelbase, clearance for fat tires and a nice rack. I have got to agree. Good luck, Post picks if you cannot resist temptation.

due ruote 

noglider 

I'm not sure, but somehow, I've stopped. In fact, I recently gave away my Bianchi Volpe to a needy courier who is also a friend. So I'm down to nine bikes, including the tandem. I don't have an unfilled niche except that I don't have a mountain bike, and that's what I can really can use, since our weekend home is very near some very awesome trails.

ramzilla

Don't pick up another bike until you remove one from your collection. Give it to charity. There's probably a Goodwill store close by your house.

Chombi1 

Easy!, I just remind myself that I do not have any room left in the house or garage for another bike!

jeirvine 

For me, it comes down to: What bike in my fleet is it nicer than? If I get it, and don't sell another, do I really want to have to find yet another nice Brooks Pro to fit to yet another bike? I too have settled on around nine keeper/riders. Maintenance/consumables on those is enough for me.

Pompiere

You share the link here on BF to ask a question about it and someone else goes and buys it while you are waiting for a reply.

ryansu

I am most successful when I do not go near CL, that said I have purchased 3 new to me bikes in the last month after whittling the quiver down to just 3. One of the newbies is not my size and will be a refresh and sell -it was a great deal and just blocks away ..ahem. The newest of the new is an experiment in going one frame size down from what I normally buy in a vintage bikes and I will happily sell it on if the fit isn't good. I am actually waiting until the local colleges let out and hope to find another lugged steel MTB like the one that passed through my hands last year. Ok that is a long way of saying I have no idea how to stop...sigh.

Wildwood 

An attribute I am known to have difficulty with.

USAZorro

I would have no trouble walking past a Cannondale, but a Frejus like you described (in my size) would be enough to get me to put one or two that are in the garage up for sale to make room (if necessary).

gomango

I recently watched a friend go through a very difficult job reassignment.

He had twice as many bikes as I do and he had to relocate to Central America or find a new company to work for.

He sold seventeen bikes to a local collector, at a substantial loss.

I look at eight or nine of the bikes I never ride and wonder if that's my fate as well.

My new policy of one in/one out seems to be helping.

I get offered nice bikes all the time and it would take an outrageous offer like a MAP, Moots or Firefly to get me wound up at this point.

cqlink 

Stopped . LOL . Mountain bike coming up

cqlink 

Neighbor's garage . Just sayin'