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Two bikes -- two tool bags? Two locks?

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Old 03-22-06 | 09:00 PM
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Two bikes -- two tool bags? Two locks?

I kind of inherited a second bike, which is great. But does this mean I need two sets of lights, two tool kits, two locks? I'll never keep this straight. What do the two-timers do?
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:06 PM
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A blinkie on each, one light, one chain lock and one backpack w/ tools shared between the two. I will get a new chain lock cuz my new bike's too new and I don't want it swiped. Same pedal types (SPDs) on both.
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:08 PM
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You talking about a real light with a separate battery? or just a small light?

I have one bike that gets set up with a proper light for the winter, and all my bikes have blinkies attached. Other than that, everything is detachable, so for non-winter times, I can take any bike that takes my fancy in the morning. Quick release LED headlight for just-in-case, toolkit and lock go in the bag.
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:32 PM
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My two bikes are a road bike and a mtn bike, so I do have two bags, one for each bike with the correct size tubes. Other than that, I move things from one bike to the other.
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:36 PM
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Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).

Yeah, one of these is presta, one shraeder. Until recently, everything went in a jumble into the hybrid's pannier. Now I'm trying to streamline and not duplicate where I don't have to.... But I don't see myself swapping out lights and blinkies when I can't even be relied on to remember my lunch half the time...
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
Yeah, one of these is presta, one shraeder. Until recently, everything went in a jumble into the hybrid's pannier. Now I'm trying to streamline and not duplicate where I don't have to.... But I don't see myself swapping out lights and blinkies when I can't even be relied on to remember my lunch half the time...
In that case, duplicate! Maybe at least a saddle bag with spare tube(s) on each bike.

Mine are all presta, either 700x28 or 700x23, and I figure that in the unlikely event (touch wood) that the 700x28 armadillos puncture, a 700x23 tube'll do to get me home. My routine has become to only put the light on when needed, so most of it's life is spent in a pocket of the bag. Multi-tool lives there too.
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Old 03-22-06 | 09:52 PM
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Keep everything in one bag. Lights, lock, etc.

Take that bag with you whichever bike you use.
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Old 03-22-06 | 10:19 PM
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I don't carry locks because when I've commuted, at least in the last 8-9 years, I haven't had to lock-up (taken bike to or near desk). Anyhow, I have two bikes, a road bike and a folder. Each has its own under-saddle bag with its own set of tubes, patches, CO2, multitool, etc. The bag for the folder is bigger than the one for the road bike because it needs to fit a 15mm wrench for the back wheel (clickbox hub gears there so no quick-release skewer). I only recently got a second multitool and it has more features (specifically a chain tool) than my first so I may switch it back and forth or get a second copy of the new one.

I have, IIRC, at least three road pumps, one a frame pump for the road bike, one minipump with a gauge, and the third is a combo pump/CO2 inflator. The first is Presta-only and of course is only suitable for the road bike because of the size (at least without a backpack involved with the folder). The second has dual heads for either valve type. Lately I've taken to moving the third, which has a single smart head for both valve types, back and forth from one bike to the other but I have options, as you can see. There may even be an old MTB frame-like pump somewhere but I haven't seen it in a while. Anyhow, both bikes have Presta valves so I suppose any pump would work for any bike in my case.
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Old 03-22-06 | 10:22 PM
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Keep the one you like the best. Sell the other one.
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Old 03-22-06 | 10:47 PM
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The answer depends on what riding you'll do. I use cheap cateye lights and I have front and back sets on two of my three bikes. I have a pannier and carry tools in it, but when I use a different bike I can throw a few tools in a backpack.
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Old 03-22-06 | 11:18 PM
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Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).

Originally Posted by zonatandem
Keep the one you like the best. Sell the other one.
That's a whole other thread. The new one is actually the high-school touring bike that was preserved in amber in my parents' garage. It's an old Lotus Legend, with Shimano a 600 group, and it weighs about 18 pounds (really!)... it makes the reliable old hybrid feel like a minivan. Plus, thrown in the bargain was my dad's basically unused Fuji S-10-S...which...now, I don't want to get greedy, but...a fixie, somewhere down the road?
I can't believe I'm talking like this! What happened to me? Seven months ago, I used a bike to take a kid to daycare when the weather was decent...now... I'm an addict or something!
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Old 03-23-06 | 06:44 AM
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One light. One blinky with an extra holder on the second bike. Different tubes but my touring bike tube and tools and pump are kept in my Performance Garment bag inside a wedge pac so I can just attach it to my touring bike when I use that.
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Old 03-23-06 | 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by zonatandem
Keep the one you like the best. Sell the other one.
Blasphemy!
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Old 03-23-06 | 09:31 AM
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I have a primary bike and a backup bike. The primary bike is a European commuter with a hub dynamo, and built in lights. The backup bike is a Specialized Crossroads with a cheap Cateye headlight, fenders, and a rear blinkie. The primary bike goes about 2,500 miles per year; the backup does maybe 50. However, I'm glad I have it -- it means I can leave the primary at the LBS for a few days for tuneups, tire changes, and the like.

The only thing that gets changed over is the U-lock. Remembering to switch it over is a hassle. I think I should get a second lock for it. That way, I would have two bikes, each ready to go at a moment's notice.

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Old 03-23-06 | 09:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
I kind of inherited a second bike, which is great. But does this mean I need two sets of lights, two tool kits, two locks? I'll never keep this straight. What do the two-timers do?
Two? How can you live with just 2? I have 9! Five of them are always commuter ready. They all have blinkies (or 2) on them during the winter since blinkies are cheap. (I take them off in the spring.) My lights - Niteriders - use the same bracket so I have those mounted on the bike and just slide the light head onto whichever bike I feel like riding. I don't carry a lock- and haven't for the 25 years I've been commuting to work. The bike comes inside.

For tools, I carry a Camelbak Blowfish that has all of my tools - and I have an extensive kit-, patches, tubes, water, glasses and wallet. I do have an underseat bag (two, actually) the the same tool kit as the Camelbak (you can collect a bunch of junk in 25+ years of bicycling ) for those days when I don't feel like carrying a Camelbak which happens occasionally. I also use the Blowfish to carry the batteries for my helmet light which, if I could only have one light, it would be the helmet light.

I do carry two sizes of tubes in my Camelbak, one for 26" and one for 700C but all of my bikes are presta equiped. If I used schrader (ick!), all my bikes would have schrader. Oh, and each bike has its own pump (all Topeak Morphs by the way)- like I said, you can collect a lot of junk in 25+ years
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Old 03-23-06 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by squeakywheel
Blasphemy!
+1 You always need a spare/rain bike.
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Old 03-23-06 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Two? How can you live with just 2? I have 9!
9? How can you live with just 9?

I got tired of playing swap the blinkies,so I picked up a couple sets of white/red cheapies at the Discovery Channel store and mounted them to the bikes I use the most(fast commuter,rain bike,polo bike). When I ride the other bikes I usually clip a red blinky on my bag and a quick-release white on the bars.

I have more than one lock,but they're used for different purposes. I have a couple U's plus a couple Kryptonite motorcycle cables for locking up the bikes I keep down in the garage,a combination U for the bike shed at work(so I don't have to dig out a key in the rain),an armored cable lock for riding with my friends(don't know what I'll need to lock to,and won't be gone long),and two different size U's for running errands(I usually know what I'll be able to lock to).

The rest of my kit is pretty much the same no matter what bike I ride. My pump works on both types of valves,my patch kit works on any tube,and even if I don't need a 15mm wrench I may run into someone broke down who does.
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Old 03-23-06 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by dynaryder
+1 You always need a spare/rain bike.
A couple of weeks ago I was running a bit late for work. Grabbed my bum bike and ran out the door. Down the stairs and into the alley. Swing leg over and push off. Handling seemed a bit off as I slid sideways down the alley so I looked down, flat rear tire. Run back inside, grab other bike, transfer trunk bag and I'm off to work. Find out later tire and tube had big cuts from glass. Fixed it that night. Always have a spare/beater bike if you can! Thrift store 10 spds are the best!

EDIT: Yes if it had been a mile from home I would have fixed the flat and continued on my merry way. But for those times when you break a spoke on the way home from work, get roped into dinner with the in-laws and don't have a chance to repair the wheel, spare bike saves the day.
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Old 03-23-06 | 04:11 PM
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Whenever I'm asked why I need more than one bike I ask them why they need more than one pair of shoes.

Anyway, I have separate bags for each bike. My commuter has the biggest bag because I like carry two tubes and a patch kit and a multi-tool and a couple of chain links and several zipties and CO2. I keep my lock at the rack at work. I'm more likely to be late for work and by myself on the commuter. On the other hand, my racie bike is more minimal: one tube, multi-tool, one CO2. I'm usually on a group ride or race with that bike so I'm not likely to be stranded.
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Old 03-23-06 | 04:22 PM
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There are three blinkies that stay on my commuter. The fourth one moves from bike to bike. The other three bikes have blinkie clips on the rear and my headlight has a QR clip. One lock that moves around as needed.
I do have two flat kits, (one for the two road bikes and one for the two 26-inchers).
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Old 03-23-06 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Five of them are always commuter ready. They all have blinkies (or 2) on them during the winter since blinkies are cheap. (I take them off in the spring.) My lights - Niteriders - use the same bracket so I have those mounted on the bike and just slide the light head onto whichever bike I feel like riding.
Were you able to order extra headlight mounts by themselves, or do you have an equal number of lights that all happen to use the same mount? Blinkies are cheap, but I don't want to buy another expensive headlight just to get an extra mount.
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Old 03-23-06 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnBrooking
Were you able to order extra headlight mounts by themselves, or do you have an equal number of lights that all happen to use the same mount? Blinkies are cheap, but I don't want to buy another expensive headlight just to get an extra mount.
You can normally buy the brackets pretty easily. Cateye and Niterider both have them available through their websites - I guess other companies are similar.
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Old 03-23-06 | 05:03 PM
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I've got bikes in various flavors requiring slightly different kits (and kits for their slightly different uses). All of 'em get a spare tube powdered in a baggie under the saddle and a pump of some sort. They also all get at least a rear blinkie (weight weenies cry all you want, they ain't that heavy). I have tool kits/bags for each of them as well--mostly for my ease of use. The locks and HID front lamps I have one and switch 'em. Too expensive to not do so. If you go the one per bike route then I strongly suggest you standardize what you can. Same CO2 inflators, same multi-tool, same patch kit with 4 quarters and a $20 bill, same half roll of electrical tape, etc.
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Old 03-23-06 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Bklyn
I can't believe I'm talking like this! What happened to me? Seven months ago, I used a bike to take a kid to daycare when the weather was decent...now... I'm an addict or something!
I am the same!! exactly the same except I was riding with my daughter on the back, to pick up the car the next morning after a night out, and before I knewit, I had a new roadbike and lycra and was up at 5.30 riding 40Kms!!!!!

Re the OP, I have 2 bikes, with 2 saddle bags, 2 sets of lights and 1 lock (with keys at home, work and 1 locked in the safe!!!!!!!!!!)
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Old 03-23-06 | 08:14 PM
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That two bike two everything situation is what I have... but I do it a bit differently. One bike is the commuter, and it has all the bells and whistles... and redundant, redundant lighting. Racks, bags, you name it.

The other bike is my "true" road bike and it has just what it needs to fix a flat and that is about it. No lights, no mirrors, nothing extra.

I enjoy each bike for different reasons.
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