Is it always about "the next bike"?
 

Are you always dreaming of the next *hot* ride you want to buy? Or maybe upgrades to your current ride? Or you are satisfied with your current bike?

I got thinking about this since I've had the same "pending" winter project for the past two years! Always thinking about what could be better, I guess.

I have 3 bikes and I am happy and satisfied with them..I can easily afford to buy more, but what's the point ? For me personally 3 is perfect. I have some spare parts and components so I can change any of my set ups if I ever want to.

I have 1 bike and I am happy and satisfied with it. I can easily afford to buy more, but what's the point? For me personally 1 is perfect. I buy spare parts and components when I choose so I can change my set up if I ever want to.

I would upgrade my current one. I wouldn't mind getting another bike, but it wouldn't necessarily be a commuter bike - I'm happy with my current one.

I'm looking for a cheapish CX bike... so right now it's about the next bike. For a week or two, it will be about the new bike.

Great topic.

I've had the N+1 habit for the last 18 months. I've added a number of bikes for every possible form of road and trail riding. I don't need or want a mountain bike, but I having a range of bikes from fast road bike to Vintage road bike to two Cyclocross bikes to indestructible Monster-cross bike. This allows me to ride a wide range of surfaces and conditions.

I've replaced my N+1 new bike habit with a N+1 new tire habit.

My stable of tires includes;

700x50 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme
700x45 Schwalbe Marathon Smart Sam
700x42 Schwalbe Marathon Dureme
700x38 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper
700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Winter
700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper
700x32 Kenda Happy Medium
700x28 Vittoria Rubino Tech
700x27 Challange Parigi-Roubaix
700x28 Conti Gatorskin
700x25 Conti Gatorskin
700x24 Conti Grand Prix
700x23 Vittoria Rubino

Half of these tires are well used. The other half need more use :-)

I'm actually very satisfied with my current commuter, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't upgrade it if I had money tagged for bike purchases.

My Windsor could use a lower-geared cassette. Otherwise, its a good ride.

One more bike, and I'll be happy with my collection...

Increment the three to a four, and my feelings echo wolfchild's, despite the fact we have different tastes in bikes and accessories.

All four of my bikes go to work, although only two would be recognized a falling into the broad "commuter" category.

As for my primary commuter, when the time comes to replace it, I'll be specifying essentially the same thing, only in titanium so I don't have to worry about paint. The only significant upgrade it's gotten was a new wheelset, and I added a dyno hub while I was at it, but that didn't drive the purchase. I knew when I bought it that the wheels where the weakest link.

Heading into our sixth winter, I still sometimes wonder why I own the other bikes. It's matched so well to me as a cyclist and my desired outcomes.

Part of it, I think, is that when I was shopping, I had a clear idea of my capabilities, the results I wanted in a bike, and the equipment it would take to achieve that. I'm not marketing-driven, but results-driven.

I did my shopping not by asking "is this a good commuter bike" but with a list of nine bullet points and asking "what do you have that matches these specifications". I stopped shopping when my bullet points aligned with the bike's bullet points. The test ride was superfluous.

There were many here and in real life who questioned my sanity in spending $1700 (before accessories) on a commuter bike, but the past six years have borne out the wisdom of my decision. Instead of always being on the upgrade cycle, I'm on the bicycle. It's still my favorite ride.

tsl, that sounds like it was a great purchase and a great match for you.

I only own one bike right now. I bought it in May when I started bicycle commuting. I like most everything about it, but since we went from two cars to one, and my wife gets the one, I feel like having a second bike as a backup is probably prudent, to prevent missed commute days due to mechanicals, etc. So I made a list of things I wanted, similar to what tsl described, and took them to my bike shop. Turns out a Jamis Commuter 3 is the one that checks every one of the boxes I had on my list, so I ordered one. I'm really looking forward to it.

Looking at my usage, I am putting 90% of my miles on as a commuter. The other 10% are grocery runs and the very occasional Saturday ride when I had too much business travel during the week to allow me to get miles. I think 2 dedicated commuters will be all I need for my uses and having a backup. Some day maybe I will want a road bike for charity rides, etc., but for now this should get me set well.

Last year I purchased a hybrid for commuting to work in wet winter weather. I did not realize how much I don't like the upright riding position, the thumb shifters and the huge gear spacing. Given my recent bout of apathy toward cold and/or wet weather, I have yet to ride to work in less than confirmed dry weather and I ride my road bike. Perhaps replacing the rear cassette can help tip the balance to make it rideable. OTOH, I bought a new carbon fiber road bike last April and I love it.

I think coming here and seeing all of the new bike stories contributes to the "must upgrade" feeling. I still like and ride my 2003 road bike. I did upgrade the wheels which were boat anchors. No more bike upgrade required.

I don't think 'newer' is always better.

Case in point, I have a 18 year old road bike and mine is STILL equal to my friends whom spent $3,000 on his Cannondale.

The first thing you should ask yourself is, "Why do I feel I want a new bike?"

Second question, "Can upgrades alleviate that?"

Third, "Which is cheaper?"

That is always my train of thought.

Im sure my opinion wont be a popular one, but I feel people who are new to commuting are the ones more prone to wanting new equipment.
Of course new stuff is cool, but the "I need a new _ _ _ _" factor seems to be expotentially less with peoples whom's miles are more . . .
Makes perfect sense, huh ? :thumb:

True story. I had all the bikes I needed (1) before joining BF. :lol:

My last upgrade was from a 8 year old Hardrock to a 40 year old Schwinn. The next upgrade might get pricey if I continue that trend.

So true!!!

I voted that I am satisfied with my commuter ride. I'd better be, I've dumped nearly two grand into a frame I got on Craigslist for $10!
It's set up exactly the way I want it, which is why I went this route. I would have ended up changing out 90% of the parts of any new bike anyway.

I voted "other" - I like my city bike fine for commuting, so I don't think I would upgrade or replace it. What I would do is get a cargo bike, specifically the Trek Transport (not the electric). I've been thinking about that for longer than a year. I could ride to the pet store and get a 50 pound bag of dog food to bring home!

If you added the right rear rack (something rated for that much weight) to your existing bike couldn't you drape it over the rack and bungee it down?

I picked up this trailer from a yard sale for $25. 100 lb capacity.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...yGetter001.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...168find004.jpg

Offer $25 on this one.

http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/bik/3458560365.html

My commuter I've had since 2006 is getting converted from singlespeed to 2x9 with a dynohub.

The original wheels are almost done so I decided to make some changes.

I'm also planning to sell a few bikes this spring to make some room and help finance a new road frame and fork.

About half my bike collection is a revolving door. In general the commuter doesn't change much until something breaks.

Trailor is a great idea for cargo, but I think if I had the extra cash I'd go with the Transport - what a cool bike! I guess it's a little bit of n+1 lol

Hi I am all fro a new bike if the money can go that far.

What does n+1 mean? (lol bit of a dumb moment)

I am thinking I will get a Masi CX early next year. I would also love a Kona MinUte because they are more in my price range, than other cargo bikes.