gugie 

Reading about all this downsizing makes me think...

gomango

After I picked up my Weigle this spring, I looked at the rest of the bikes here and wondered if that bike might cover a few bases.

Once I decided that it could, I looked seriously at all of the framesets and unridden/under-used bikes sitting here.

I counted six framesets and six bikes that will be going to visit new homes.

The market is incredibly slow at the moment, so it may take me till spring to find everything new homes.
@squirtdad. Thanks for the fantastic link. Very cool!!!!

jamesdak 

LOL, that never happens. I honestly do enjoy getting out on all the different bikes.

The Golden Boy 

Focus on the bike you really want.

There was a new/modern bike I was really into- I decided to pull the trigger- but I couldn't get it built the way I wanted- rather than compromise, I'm opting to use that money to rebuild a bike that I already have.

My last frame acquisition was a bike I'd been looking for for a while- but with everything going on, I haven't had time to build it up as I see fit- I've put it together and torn it apart a few times, but I haven't gotten it to *that* point yet.

It also helps that Scott the Enabler has other hobbies now!

RiddleOfSteel

I am in the middle of working down the fleet AND frames/components. Why I haven't signed up for a premium membership here and sold things has had its reasons, but I think it's time now.

Currently, there is no Mrs. Steel or anybody else that is impacted by my collection of bikes, parts, and tools. That's been nice. If I lived in a 750 sq ft apartment with someone else, I'd be looking at two bikes max or something. Alas, I can have ten and have it all look organized, if a bit 'surrounding.' I would not like to have ten in this 500 sq ft I live in, and five or six would allow some rearrangement of home elements, even if I have already arrived at an optimum and inviting/open layout.

So, a secret? Or a trigger that starts the dominoes of change to fall? 1) Anxiety from either not having enough space, fearing that I won't have enough space very soon, or knowing that I've been consumed with this hobby and it's crept into a blind obsession (aka normal activity) and that it is unsustainable. 2) Finding out what you really really like (or the bike/bikes you really really like) and getting cutthroat with the rest, no matter how nice they are. I think I've settled on a set of components or component 'ethos' that now allows me to sell components that I know I won't be putting on my working bikes. Not that I want to limit myself, but I've tried out and learned a bunch of things, and can happily not be desirous of frame/components that "could be worth it if I tried again." 3) To allow myself to move locations much more easily (even if 22 lb rolling 'furniture' is the easiest to move!) in anticipation of a life stage or location change. Not that any of those things are visible on my horizon, but the ability to be more 'agile' does not lack prudence at this point in my life. 4) Finances or the desire to put more money back into the account from whence it came. I built my disc CAAD10 by selling only parts (maybe one cheap bike?) for just over a grand. That's eye-opening! 5) Cold and crummy weather. Not kidding! If it's going to be freezing and I'm commuting daily, I want to ride the bikes that I like the most to make the best of it.

To expand on Point #2 , if one has done 'due diligence' in trying to get a bike to a good or 'keeper' state and that bike, no matter how much one wants to 'connect' with it, seems to refuse to make it over that line, it's time to sell it and make someone else happy. My '91 Cannondale SC2000 is one such a bike. Rescued and restored, with full 6400 8-speed STI (ok, a7700 crankset) instead of rougher 7-speed Campy, with my favorite handlebars with with my most favorite geometry from that era etc etc...it's performs flawlessly and works well enough with me, but...it isn't over that line. Being comfortable on it fitment-wise has also been elusive, and cold weather (aka using gloves) doesn't help that. By itself it or any of my bikes are more than good enough to keep, but since I and many others of us are parties to an embarrassment of riches, it is probably better to let that bike be someone else's shining star. @due ruote said it really well, and I have thought similarly: That good deal doesn't mean it needs to be my good deal.

Yes, stuff does fall into one's lap. It certainly does mine, though I've worked to slow the intake. 63cm+ frames are uncommon, but I don't need to be the only orphanage in town that takes them in and restores them. I am not the only tall person in this large city that can enjoy a good vintage bike.

Projects that were started with curiosity and optimism (aka a worthwhile payoff), and that have devolved into a struggle at every step, in light of wanting to downsize, are quickly put on the chopping block. The information is relayed to the new buyer, and I am rid of a time and energy sink. Still, it's tough. I want to like everything and make it better, but I recognize when I'm in a calm yet frenzied mental state taking care of everything and working to progress it.

Fahrenheit531 

Sell stuff.

Repeat.

Raleigh74

BrewsterII

Not having a garage has limited me to 5 bikes. I do have a very nice 16x10 shed, but it filled up quickly!

My back patio has been my workshop.

RiddleOfSteel

Another tall rider! 25.5" frames look so cool.

BrewsterII

Yes they do !

oddjob2

I pray every week that @Danbianchi881 win $75,000 or more in the powerball lottery so he can start his C&V bike shop and buy my flip inventory. I want my personal bike inventory to be no more than 30.

machinist42

Only purchase "Hello Kitty" bicycles which ride really well!

"I'd ride a Hello Kitty bike if it fit perfect and felt amazing on the road." (some guy eyeing a Colnago, and not the "Hello Kitty" limited edition, over on Appraisals.)

jetboy 

yeah i needed to sell the 5 bikes to afford the violin, but it is really the time issue. I need at least 5 hours a week to move forward at all, and probably 10 hour would be better.. if I could just find those hours (and the concentration necessary for it). I will never be a concert violinist but its fun to work out new songs and learn something - music- which I never did have in my education growing up sorta poor in a rural area - with two tone deaf parents. no singing around our campfire!

I don't think ill start collecting violins either (to keep on topic) they are too expensive and... even if I did.. they are a lot smaller than a bicycle. though the whole temperature control thing is an issue.

jj1091

Yeah, the prices are exorbitant, I just checked the rough prices for my old one, the Roth-adjusted unbranded violin averages around $1000, and the Pfretzschner bow is anywhere from $1200 to $6000. Collecting that stuff is for the wealthy. I paid $275 for the pair in 1970, with a hard case. Go figure. Bikes are much cheaper.

randyjawa 

Geeze, we are all worried or wondering about down sizing. I have done that and the process is still ongoing. However, a close friend just offered to sell me this 1969 near mint Triumph...

On no, what to do!

oddjob2

That is a beautiful Triumph!

RiddleOfSteel

Lovely motorcycle. Every time I think it would be fun to have a different (used) car, they are often more than what I paid for for mine (2-3x), and plenty good in their own right, but....bicycles are SO much cheaper, and I can keep them in my apartment.

Mr. 66

Just sold this one and was able to up sell the deal with another frame and parts almost enough for a build.

SHBR

I'll take a guess that for most people here space isn't really an issue.

That said, downsizing is a lifestyle choice, and it should extend way beyond bicycles.

I have 3, (considered excessive in this part of the world) one lives outside locked to pole, indoor storage is already beyond capacity.

mstateglfr 

If you want to downsize, just take pictures and list the bikes.
if you dont do that, then you don't actually want to list the bikes, so ride em and appreciate the life situation you have.

Currently i have 3 road bikes, 1 gravel bike, 2 touring bikes, a single speed 80s mtb, and a new mtb. 4 of those are barely ridden, but I like em and they are purpose built so they stay.
8 bikes is 3 more than loosely justifiable(if I had to try) and 7 more than needed.

my wife has a road bike and old rigid mtb.
my oldest daughter has a road bike, hybrid, and modern mtb.
my youngest daughter has a hybrid.

14 bikes in half a garage is plenty. That's how I keep from getting more. I dont allow myself to create more space for them.
at this point I know what fits so I don't buy bikes to try an out. I buy and build what interests me.

if it's redundant, I don't have much use for it. One of my road bikes is going to turn into a single speed this winter. I'll use it more in that capacity than in its current state since its redundant a couple times over right now.



you seem to enjoy the variety a few dozen road bikes give. You seem to like trtibg to compare and contrast the bikes. Super, but that doesn't seem like someone wanting to downsize.

squirtdad

M+1 obviously. and get a pan for the oil drips

jlaw

Here's what you do...

Find a friend and his wife - who've lived in their house for at least 30 years with kids, dogs, hobbies, collections, nostalgic belongings, etc. - who need help moving to their new house. It even better if they have to vacate the existing house quickly because it sold and the closing is less than 30 days away. Make sure it's in the middle of the summer when it's nice and hot with high humidity. Then volunteer to help them move for 3 Saturdays in a row.

I did this.

After filling their new (smaller) house, a new 12x30 shed, and 3 storage rooms at two different locations with their stuff, I had clearly learned the value of moderation in all things material. This led my family to do a preemptive downsizing that turned out to feel very liberating.

Even if you don't get rid of any of your bikes, reducing everything else makes the bike collection appear more manageable.

Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, local mission, local shelters are your friend when looking for a new home for household goods, clothing, and construction materials.

Just do it.

jeirvine 

Yup. Slowly accumulating some really nice bikes has meant declining interest in buying lower end ones. I very rarely see a CL bike that is as good or better than my current keepers. The question then becomes: do I need two 70s Colnago Supers? So far the answer has remained "yes!", but I can't see adding a third.

Mr. 66

beicster 

I don't have a secret so much as I have some problems that cause a binge and purge process over and over.

I love bikes. I especially love older/cheaper bikes. Not cheap bikes, but just older ones that are cheaper than new ones.
I am a hopeless, absent minded, slob. I put stuff down and forget it exists until I need it again. I can be using a tool and as soon as I am done I set it down and forget where it is. Same goes for parts, etc.
Clutter stresses me out. The only way I can limit the clutter in my life is to limit the number of things that can be clutter.

Combine those three things and I find myself either buying bikes or selling bikes. I currently have too many (for me) and I have plans to buy another frame to switch some parts to next month. If all goes well, it should allow me to sell two. I also have a dented and spary painted old trek frame I plan to donate to the coop whenever I get up there. I tried selling it but did not even get a response listing it at $35.

I also have a fat bike for sale locally with a couple of extra wheelsets that would go a long way toward getting my bike shed uncluttered. I haven't listed it here because I don't want the hassle of shipping it. It is fun but I haven't ridden it in over a year other than just to get it out and go around the neighborhood.