There is so much cool bike gear out there, and so much hype about it all throughout BikeForums, I find myself continually thirsting for more. On our own local Chicago forum, www.thechainlink.org, there was recently a discussion about "how many bikes is too many?" The consensus was "somewhere between n+1 and infinity."

But that sort of smacks against the cycling ethic, doesn't it? If we are forever amassing new bike schwag, how are we any different than the throw-away culture we are hoping to change through a more sustainable means of transportation.

So, on that note... What have you recently decided NOT to buy? Not because you don't have the cash or space, but because you decided you didn't need it, and what you already own is suitable.

Here's mine:
-Brompton folder -- realized there would be almost no situations I couldn't make my full sized bike work
-Sturmey Archer drum brake front hub -- cleaned up my rims, scuffed up the pads, works well enough
-Light & Motion Vis 360 -- will likely spring for this come fall, but no need just yet
-New saddle -- decided mine is fine as it is, at least for now

-a set of the Pedro's bike cleaning brush kit -- figured I would just keep using my old toothbrushes
-a $100 pair of mountain bike shorts -- just stick with my Old Navy boardshorts
-New pair of specialized gloves -- my old holey ones'll last a little longer

I didn't buy a new roadie singlespeed (buncha stuff to build one, actually: frame/fork, crank, stem).
But instead I did buy a Contour HD, 16GB memory card and waterproof case. Not because my current VholdR non-HD doesn't work, but because I'd like to double my record capacity for the local CX racing circuit starting up next month, and I've got some video-blog projects I'm planning that use both a forward and rear-facing camera, or a frame mounted and pole-mounted camera.

A Masi Speciale. I fixed up my old Giant Sedona instead and will use that a least until next year.

I recently decided not to buy a new smoker BBQ and build one instead.

Tires - I've been wanting to get slightly fatter tires for my commuter, but it seems wasteful since the ones on it are perfectly fine. I've decided no new tires until these ones wear out, and are completely unusable.

I fully expected this thread to be empty.

Passed on a 1966 Raleigh Superbe for $160.
It would be a more "authentic" commuter for me, but frankly less efficient than my modern bike. Both have IGH, but 3 vs 8 speeds. Both have dynamo hubs and headlights, but incandescent vs. LED. Both have fenders, but metal vs lightweight plastic. Both have Brooks saddles, but mattress style vs a B-17. Just can't justify it. Functionally too close together. I probably should have done it anyway, ridden the Superbe and see if I liked it better than the Milano THEN chose which one to keep! IDIOT!

Yeah, me too.

I decided not to buy a new Specialized Roubaix this year, but I bought a used Kona Major Jake and a used Kona Muni Mula instead. I'm not sure that fits the spirit of the thread. Especially since I'm still considering the Roubaix for future purchase.

Numerous electric bikes and conversion kits
Several cargo bikes and conversion kits.
Cycling jackets, since I have already enough to outfit a small club.
Addition video cams and gear, only makes an expensive bike that much more expensive to replace in case of theft.

Fenders.

I'm not really sure why people are so gung ho. They just don't seem worth the hassle, particularly if you've got good rain gear. A nice jacket and shoe covers should be perfectly fine. Plus, I always change at work...

A brooks saddle

Tempted... but there is no real pain with the current saddle, just mild annoyance every now and then.

A "winter bike"

Really can't justify in a 2 br apartment with a baby on the way... but I've already got it all specced out in my head. 700X32, mustache bars, steel frame, single speed or an IGH.

New shiny brakes - old are still adequate for 10 grade slope (and coaster brake if any...)
clipless pedals - to many chose from, than again to many shoes to chose from...

I was going to buy a folding bike but instead I bought the Contour HD.

At CliftonGK1:
What editing software are you using for that .MOV format? Or do you know of a good converter to AVI or MP4? So far I just ordered a Sony Vegas 10 to handle the .MOV and Codec. Don't know if it will work until I get it, but so far my Window Live Movie maker on Window Vista will not accept the Contour file although it listed as .MOV capable. Just wondering and looking for feedback.

New computer, after the death of the old one. I'm really digging the minimalist look. Plus, I'm no longer worried about keeping track of my stats, for I have finally become the fastest rider in my house. I can drop my 3-year-old like a bad habit.

A brooks saddle. I ordered a $125 imperial, but they sent me the wrong one. I opted for the refund since I realized I'm spending too much on my bike and already have a leather VO saddle that I can just adjust some more.

There's a movement underway to build a velodrome here in Sacramento. I went to a couple of fundraisers and got so jazzed about it I nearly bought a track bike a few times. Went so far as to make serious bids on some eBay listings. Lucky for me I lost them and I've come to my senses.

A pair of tires. I switched to GP 4000s on my road bike recently. The LBS gave me a deal on the non-S ones, because they were an ugly color that no one wanted, and I loved the tires. REI had a sale a month or so ago, and I could have got two more at a pretty hefty discount. Seemed like a good idea to do that and save money when the one on my rear tire wears out. I decided against it, though, partly because there will be more sales in the future, and partly because I like open space. Storing something I'll need eventually is slightly obnoxious.

Honestly ... I ride a bike because I enjoy it. It's just fun. More sustainable and less polluting and all that - these are the icing on the cake.

That may be many cyclists' ethic, but its not universal. We all ride for many different reasons. Honestly, I ride and commute because its fun. The sustainability and environmental side is a really cool side effect.

Even at its worst, constantly getting new bike swag is going to be a tremendous improvement over car commuting though.

When I buy things for my bike, I do look for quality products that will last. I'm willing to wait and pay more for something that's not disposable. Even if I decide to replace it with something else, I can pass it on to someone else.

I cant think of something in particular I "didnt buy". I guess there are hundreds of things I would like but dont buy, but nothing I've come really close to actually pulling the trigger on.

A new road bike... hehe... the impatient side of me wants a cool bike and thinks it will make me go a lot faster. The practical side is still managing to win though and telling me to improve the engine first on my hybrid.

I didn't replace my PB rack blinky that broke because I already had a DX type clone. I tend to be more pragmatic anyway.

Yeah, this group isn't know for not buying stuff.

I was tempted to order a discounted scuffed up Windsor Clockwork in Orange in the size I wanted from Bike Island last night. After considering it I realized I could get a couple nice geared vintage road bikes at the bike charity for the price of the new bike. Also, I think I have moved on from really being into the singlespeed scene since it just doesn't work for me.

As far as fenders go, I almost pulled the trigger on some the last time i was at the shop. I want to get them not to keep the grime off of myself so much as to keep it off my bike. The wet weather combined with the stuff i ride through everyday gives me a lot to clean off. To have something on there to block most of it would be helpful.

New wheels. Can't justify dropping half a grand on wheels on a bike that cost $850.

I *DIDN'T* buy a ContourHD - I figured I could live on my ebay 808 cam for incident witness duty.