I've got enough vintage Shimano parts to build a nice enough bike. Most of what I have is either 1979ish Dura Ace or 600 Arabesque.

I've been considering buying a Trek frameset from the same period, something built in the U.S. from Reynolds 531. The end product would be a better-than-typical road bike for less than $300 in additional outlay.

The problem is: it would be redundant. I already have a nice American road bike from that time period. If I go ahead, am I just accumulating stuff or am I doing something constructive with parts on hand?

After you build it, you can decide which one you like better.

Nothing wrong with have another one. Just make sure they're different colors and you'll be fine.

There are worse ways to spend your time and money. This is pretty harmless. I say: go ahead. (I'm working on my twenty-fifth bike or so. Twenty-four of which are totally redundant )

My wife thinks two is redundant. She just doesn't understand, I'm amazed that I'm still married to her!

Just as long as we don't become redundant

The answer partly depends on whether there is a Barrettscv Significant Other who might object to the accumulation of bicycles. If so, you have to decide if it's worth the blowback. If not, Bob's yer uncle.

You can start by making the Trek as redundant as possible. Same tires/saddle/bars/gearing, similar hardware. Are the frames different enough that the ride feels different? Educational, and fun. Then, is there something the Trek can do that the Nova Special can't? Fits wider tires, fenders/racks, longer wheelbase, etc? Make it different enough that it's no longer redundant. Now the Nova Special is the good weather, smooth road retro ride, while the Trek is the crappier weather/crappier road retro ride. Or the lower-gear ride for hillier rides, or it's got the rear rack/big saddlebag so you can stash more stuff, or vice versa, or...whatever fits your needs.

Just make the new build a 650B. See? Totally different and non-redundant.

Addicts make pretty bad analysts.

That's why I'm here

My five bikes are all different styles- one restored original road bike, one frankenroadbike with fenders. One dirt encrusted MTB with big knobbies, one commuter style MTB. And one old paperboy bike.
Wifey rarely complains unless they block her parking spot.

I take no pride in having multiple bikes (though I sure do) but I do take pride in being able to say, I ride this bike 600 miles this year. In fact I'd take more pride in a larger number. So... I say store the parts. If you don't need another bike, don't get one.

Unless you really really want it. In which case, have at it.

Just don't try applying the "N+1" algorithm to spouses.

^This. Pure logic. I am going to follow it tomorrow.

We are The Support Group From Hell. Of course it isn't OCD. You need to build that bike. And then post lots of pictures here.

I've got the same thing going on with my Trek 600, Bianchi Limited, and Schwinn Tempo. They're basically the "same" bike, and the one I love most is whichever one has the best wheel set on it. I really should get rid of two them, but the Bianchi is the only one I feel I can bear to part with.

Yes it is quite the dilemma, only being able to ride one bike at a time.

I have actually been considering n-2 myself. The bikes I ride the most could stand a few upgrades/modifications that n-2 could pay for. But..... I don't know, I wouldn't be surprised if n+1 happens first.

Yes

Same thing here with wheelsets. I have 2 1996 Serotta Atlantas, different colors, one Campy the other Shimano. I have some super light wheels that I change the free hub for each bike depending on where I will ride. It's nuts huh. They are the same bike but different. I don't think I could sell either one even though I intended to when I got the second one. Nutz huh.

Yes it's OCD or yes it's reasonable behavior?

Reasonable behavior for us OCD types.

I think you'll wind up with something very different than your Serotta. With 600 arabesque components, I'd shoot for a frame of the late 70's or early 80's vintage. Once it's built up it will be a bike to take on longer relaxing rides. Set it up with accessories different than your vintage cross bike (with something like a larger roll seat bag to carry a jacket along on fall rides) and it will have a place of it's own. 650b might be another option if you find something like an 82-83 trek that are sort of low trail already.

No it wouldn't be redundant. They'll have different names.

I've been also dreaming about what an "all American" race bike would be like to build own and ride.
Thing is, there just weren't to many American component makers to choose from and find. Everything in the 80's seem to always just default to Shimano, Suntour and Campy, for top quality American race bikes from the 80's....

Yes, it is redundant. But if it fits within your budget, and you have the room to store it, so what. A quick look in most people's closets will reveal redundant clothes and shoes. A quick look in many tool boxes will reveal redundant tools. How many screwdrivers does one need? Or hammers, etc.

And for me, I figure if one of my redundant bikes inspires me to get out and do more exercise, then I consider it an "investment" in my health. I rode one of my redundant bikes this afternoon.

And in the case of bicycles, as long as you buy right, we are not talking about budget busting $$$. Its not like a collection of automobiles, or whatever. If it is budget busting, then it is definitely time to stop.

Now on the build, myself, that era Shimano is underwhelming. I would hunt up some high end Suntour from that era instead, like first generation Cyclone or early Superbe. I would be selling off the Shimano, and reinvest the proceeds into some tasty Suntour bits. I've been parting with my early DA and 600 bits myself. I like the later Dura Ace (7400) and 600 (6400) components much better than their earlier versions. Go figure, today's redundant ride has a mix of those two groups.

My wife is very supportive of my bike nonsense, as she has seen what the lack of physical activity did to her parents' mobility in their later years.