Blasphemous, but there are times when we DO need to get rid of some bikes. Who better to ask than those who share the same passions for C&V as members of this forum?

Feel free to post your own pictures and descriptions of your n-1 situation. Keep in mind that this should NOT be a "for sale" thread. Pay your dues to access the "Sales" section for those kinds of things.

Here's mine:

I have three mixte frames, all in decent to great condition and roughly the same size. I want to build up only one. Which seems like a good foundation?

1. Shogun 500 mixte
What I like: Nice lugging at the stay/seat-tube junction. 4 pairs of eyelets I can use for racks and fenders, Champion 5 tubing
What I don't like: Roughest of the three but still good condition, kickstand damage, stamped dropouts




2. Nishiki Riviera mixte
What I like: Red, very good condition (probably the best), Tange 900 tubing, forged dropouts
What I don't like: Ugly stay/seat-tube junction (see pic to compare with Shogun), kickstand damage, only 2 pairs of eyelets (can you use racks and fenders with only 2 pairs?), long headtube makes the bike look a bit awkward with 26in. wheels if I choose to use them



3. Nishiki Olympic Royale
What I like: A lot of 1970's character compared to the Riviera, chrome fork, forged dropouts, Tange? tubing. No kickstand damage.
What I don't like: Only 2 pairs of eyelets, and again, the headtube is kind of long. The headtube lugs are also kind of ugly.

ah hem- you could also hint the framesizes in this advert!

In all honesty, I didn't think that my post would be viewed as an underhanded advertisement. If the moderators believe that this has crossed a line, then I apologize in advance for my lapse of judgement, will remove all the information promptly, and ask the thread be closed.

My intentions were to make a thread where members could seek advice in thinning their collection. I had no intentions of making a sale, just to get advice in which frame to put my effort, time, and stash of good parts in to. I never intended to try and mask my post as an advert and don't approve of any member trying to sell their goods without paying their dues. In order to minimize any more misunderstandings, I will edit my original post.

Go for it!

Folks here do this sort of post constantly.

On with the show.

You can do a rack and fenders on the same pair of eyelets.

Good

Getting back on track: 3 old frames, each with their strengths and weakness. Which one shall I work my magic on?

Good to know that I can use both fenders and racks on all of them.

Since I view a Mixte as more of a city bike I see no issue with only one bottle, and the long headteube is appealing since that means this might be a tall frame that would actually fit a statuesque lady

Easy choice, the one with the best paint. None of them is head and shoulders better than another.

The Shogun is mo-purdy so I'd be inclined to keep that one, paint can always be fixed...boring lugwork is well....boring.

I'd go with the red Nishiki, although from here it looks pink.

I need a n-1 strategy in a bad way. No pictures, they are all packed away. I got multiple bikes party because I had some bad experiences destroying a couple years
back. Now I just don't have the space. Craigs list here in Boston seems hot, but not much over $200 sells. I can get rid of the crap, but it is the better stuff.

I have a Zinn, Bob Jackson, Wojcik, Moultin, a couple of Treks, Mooney, Lemond, Gios, Raleigh Gran Competition, and more.

The Lemond and Treks are my idea of commuters. Still how many can I mess up.

I can dig it. I found myself with too many bikes to ride and far too much emotional attachment to them. It's been a very painful procedure to wean myself of some really nice bikes but a guy can only ride one at a time. My strategy? Work up to it, one bike at a time. Let a little time pass, then find a new home for another. If nothing else, the process has really helped me to narrow my priorities to those bikes that mean the very most to me. Basically, it's come down to beauty, functionality and fit, fit, fit.

Despite the paint and and dropouts the Shogun is the prettiest of the bunch nicer lug work and lines than the Nishiki's which are things that can't be changed I would likely build this one. However the Olympic Royale is the highest quality of the the three and is basically complete so it would be the most practical make the most since. But since this is N+1 question I vote the hell with practical and go with the Shogun it's just a cooler looking frame.

It's not the bike that makes the lady, it's the lady that makes the bike

This would put the Nishiki's about even. Both are in extremely nice condition.

Edited with better pictures.

Easy solution just put the best stuff on the red frame and give it to the girl. Forget my previuose advice.

I don't think I can. I was aiming for a N-2 but maybe I should take baby steps. I've always wanted a mixte for myself.....

Very true but a 20" mixte can cramp her style a bit.

If this is to be a city bike instead of long-distance road bike, their performance differences will likely be minor. Go for the one which speaks loudest aesthetically to whoever will be its eventual rider, after eliminating whatever doesn't fit, of course. At first glance I'd say the Olympic Royale, but it's hard to say without seeing them in person. Lugwork isn't visible from 30ft, paint color is.

As for downsizing in general, I'm stuck on the question of which bike to ride for which purpose. We can't see the future, can we?

In any case, your question isn't about N-1, it's about which N+1.

N+2 would also be a solution you could build the Shogun for youself and red Nishiki for Lady.