no1mad 

How long do you wait before getting your second bike after your first "real" bike? You know, the one that is invariably wrong and gives you insight towards what you should have got?

How long before you prove to yourself and others that bike commuting isn't a fad, and it's time to really consider "investing" in equipment rather than just "make do"?

Mondo734

I rode my old mtb for 3 years before finally buying(just this year) a bike that was the right bike for the type of riding I have been doing. I should also mention that the mtb was a medium frame and I should have been riding a large, so not only was it old and not right for riding around the city, and mostly MUPS, but it was way to small.

SlimRider

It all depends upon the deal that presents itself. You never want to pass up a really great deal, no matter what! So, to that extent, time has nothing to do with it for me, my friend! Thus far, I have four bikes. I love them all!

However, my Nishiki Sebring has always been my favorite. I'm sure it will continue to be, no matter how many bikes, I ever acquire...

Artkansas 

I went through that phase decades ago. Now I just don't care enough.

I started commuting in 2nd grade and continued on through high school and the university and to employment. So I guess I knew that bicycling wasn't just a fad before I knew what a fad was.

I don't think I'm compromising, just different values. A bike that's strong, dependable, not much of a target for theft does more for me than shaving a pound off.

Humpy

It's been 26 years and I haven't bought my second bike yet.

It's always been a little too big for me but I ride the heck out if it anyways. I'm not getting another until this one breaks, which is hopefully never.

mtbikerinpa

Precisely. My fav of all time(still going strong after 13 years) is a 1992 frame that someone gave me for free. There were a couple before but when I got that one it was love at first ride. Once you find the right one it's just a matter of hardware evolution, which never ends....

EdgewaterDude

It didn't take me long at all. The sad thing is that it took me 5 different bikes to figure out that all I've really wanted all along is an endurance/touring bike (which will be my next bike, whenever that is.)

Sometimes you just have to ride every bike under the sun to be sure what exactly you need.

ThermionicScott 

I think it all depends on how "wrong" your first real bike is. The Craigslist Bianchi that I picked up weeks before my first Ragbrai would still be suiting all my needs if I hadn't discovered this forum!

megalowmatt

You don't need to prove a thing.

New bikes bring great joy.

megalowmatt

and didn't you start a thread just last week about looking for a mountain bike commuter?

CigTech

If the bike your on is way wrong for you, then get a new one. And then get a new one. and then get a new one. Oh and then get a new one. I think i see a trend here

no1mad 

Guilty as charged . FWIW, I did make it to the Trek Store in town and they suggested that I consider a Dual Sport instead of the mtb. Just weighing my options now.

DX-MAN

Most people would likely think I've gone the opposite direction for my ONE DOES IT ALL bike; I've gone from hardtail MTB, to 4" travel MTB, to 5.7" travel MTB, to another, more rugged 5.7" travel MTB. Tried narrow tires, lockout on the suspension, all the 'quick tricks'; my present bike has very little suspension damping dialed in, because it's just so damned much FUN! Yup, it bobs when I stand and pedal, which isn't as often anymore (I could adjust the suspension to filter out 90+% of that if I wished), smooth when seated, yeah it's heavy (feel it going uphill), but it boils down to one thing:

I love riding this bike, every single second of it!

I'm hoping that this bike does what none of the others has done -- LAST under my pounding. The previous Dakar XLT went 5 years, 15K miles, and LOTS of technical riding. Regardless, though, it will be replaced only when it breaks.

SweetNightmare

I know I'm going to try to keep it down to one or two; invest in something good and solid now, adjust it with upgrades to suit all my needs, and then maybe a folder for those times I need to take a bus or train, or just because I feel like watching people's faces as I fold it up. And I'm hoping to help pick out one more for my household; one for the S.O. so we can bike together sometimes.

a1penguin

Depends on what you mean by wrong. Sell the existing bike and buy the one you want. The problem is resale value of the existing bike. Perhaps you can find someone who wants to swap bikes :-)

Andy_K 

I waited until I had put 1000 miles on my first bike before buying the second (about six months). I've bought six bikes in the four years since then, but I still haven't found one that's better for commuting than the second (though that hasn't been the intent of most of the others).

alan s 

3 years.

What's a dual sport bike?

MattFoley

Rode my hybrid for almost a year before trading up to a cross bike for my commute and a skinny tired road bike for fun. The hybrid is at the shop now getting tuned up to sell. Yesterday I rode it for the first time in weeks, hated it, and realized I'm truly a drop bar convert.

modernjess

I don't think there is any one answer. It's an over-simplification but it is true to say that everyone situation is different. The stage of your life, your family situation, your income and finances, the access to and the types of cycling routes and areas you live etc. are some of the factors that dictate your bike purchasing more than the desire to have more and better bikes. I think what everyone here shares is a love for riding bikes and that certainly can lead to the desire for more and better bikes to make the most of that passion.

When I started commuting I couldnt afford n+1, my kids were babies, finances were tight, I made do with what I had, but it still wanted n+1. Years have passed, the kids are almost out of the house, my finances are much improved, I purposely live near good cycling routes and I still love to ride more than ever, so I keep accumulating or trading up for the bikes that I love. n+1 baby!

SlimRider

You trader, you!

idc

Let's see... only had MTBs until 2005 I got my first hybrid (which fits a bit big in hindsight), 2011 got my first road bike. So I guess 6 years or so?

ItsJustMe

Well, I got my first "real" bike 8 years and 27,000 miles ago. It is a $300 Giant hybrid.

I still haven't seen any need to buy another bike. I look at them once in a while but my bike is so comfy I just don't really see the point. I've test ridden a few and never found another I was comfortable riding. That's probably just because I've put so many miles on this bike, and if I got another I'd probably be happy with it.

I've replaced gear on mine, rear wheel twice, front once, put discs up front, bought a Brooks saddle, rack, panniers, fenders, good lights, etc. I have a few reasons to replace the bike but nothing overriding really.

In my opinion, it's only really an "investment" if it pays back. I don't really think that getting a nicer bike would have any payback at all. I already ride 100% of the days that I can, and I already immensely enjoy every ride. If I bought an expensive bike I'd just have to be more careful about locking it up - I may even enjoy it less. Right now I don't even carry a lock most of the time. It's probably been over a year since I actually used one, even if I have one I rarely use it.

Spld cyclist

I went 13 years - 8 years - 6 years - 4 months (the last only because the third in the series recently got damaged in a crash). I still have them all, but right now I'm getting the first bike ready to sell because I have no desire to ride it anymore.

Beanboy

16 years here. Got tired of commuting on the 90s mountain bike. Gearing wasn't high enough, and it was the era of the super-long stems that actually had me too stretched out. Also was a frame size too small, so the drop was more aggressive than my road bike. After commuting on it consistently for years, started to think about replacing it when it was time for a new set of tires.

Went with a Jamis Coda Sport that solved the issues, and when the time comes, look for a mountain bike with the new-fangled suspension and disc brakes.

Really should have done it sooner. Tried commuting on the road bike and hated it.

no1mad 

Here's what Trek markets as 'Dual Sports'. LBS sales guy did his best to sell me one last weekend.

I'll probably just put some slightly wider tires on what I have and call it good for now. It's just I'd sure like to have a back up to throw a leg over if my Kona was TKO'd for any reason, though I can (and have) walk the 2.4 miles each way.

I've bought some things for my bike that I needed badly, a few more things I'd like to get. Seriously thinking about picking up a P/T job and telling the wife that fully half of that check is for my bike fund.