I would prefer not to think about how to get r to zero.

that ^^^^ and the first time I asked myself,"Where in the world am I going to put this one?" and keep in mind that my stable is a very modest one!

Any bikes that contribute to your happiness are good. Define it any way you like.

Any that do not contribute, but take up space that could otherwise be put to better use (such as, for bikes that contribute), detract.

If you have bikes that detract from your happiness, you have too many bikes.

I have too many bikes.

Space, money and the limited time available to enjoy multiple bikes keep my collection small. I live in the city of Chicago and do not have a garage, and storing bikes in most garages here is not truly secure anyway.

I could own just one bike, and I rode my cyclocross bike 5000 miles in 2009. But I now have 5 bikes.

2006 Giant Cypress Hybrid, I need to sell this
2008 Soma Double Cross DC, This is my long-distance bike and fitness/fun-ride bike
1973 Schwinn Paramount P10, This Reynolds 531/chrome lugs & stays/Campy Record bike is sentimental: I'm the original owner
1987 Trek 400D, This is being upgraded to a Shimano 2X10 105/Ultegra/Dura Ace drivetrain and will be my commuter

I also just purchased a new Planet X (made by Lynskey) Titanium road bike frame as my next project.

I really need to sell one or two bikes in May.

Michael

Poguemahone, I love the forumla!

Unfortunately, I'm also starting to look at reducing the fleet. I've got my modern road bike, vintage road project, fixed gear commuter, old three speed, modern mountain bike, top secret velo cheapo project, and my girlfriend has her (vintage) road bike. Too many bikes in our apartment with too little space. There's a reason why I just sold off one frame and will probably sell off two more by summer.

When she brings this up, I just say that one is just right, and I'd never want to get another! Especially when the one I got likes me having lots of bikes.

Yes, but one of the true joys of life is walking into the garage and saying, "Which bike will I ride today?"

Happily, I'm married to a wife who has no problem with my owning a theoretically infinite number of bicycles, motorcycles and/or sports cars . . . . . . . the only limitation is that I have to be able to pay for them while still covering my share of housing, food and utilities. And in the past, she's provided me with a couple of the bicycles and motorcycles.

In fact, probably the only area of interest where I'm limited to a value (of 1) would be the category of "women I'm currently sleeping with or attempting to start sleeping with". This had caused some minor adjustment problems about a decade ago.

Now, you're starting to throw in some rather unscientific factors. Undying love to Michael Bolton would equivocate to r=7, while if that undying love were to be transferred to Barry Manilow, said r value would be a 9, minimum. And the backing over would be done slowly, just to hear her scream in harmony to "Mandy" in the background.

Barry Manilow shattered all my carefully calibrated equipment.

Think exploding white mice, but in reverse.

I honestly think I could get away with one bike and three sets of wheels. Seriously! Think about it:

Take a bike like my Univega (or a Surly CC, or some such light touring/CX bike). Get one set of rims that wears slick 38c tires. These would be the commuter/mountain bike tires. Another set would be with 27-ish-c tires for the quick rides and brevets. The final set would be with 38ish knobbies for fun in the mud.

It's comfy, it can be a mountain/road/commuter/light touring bike, and it doesn't look horrific.


That said, you can never have too many bikes. I just picked up my 10th last night. I should state though that, including this one (which still needs to be built up), 6 of them are riders, two are awaiting funds to be rebuilt, and two are parts.