DTG

Just want to know am I the only one that has addictions when it comes to bike gear/accessories. In my situation, I have over 15 backpacks but the last 6 have been bike specific. I have a T2 Especial Tre, Osprey Momentum, T2 Raceday bag, Velo Transit District 40, MW Vandal LE, and just ordered a T-Level Infinity Rolltop. Most people would think I'm crazy by having so many bags but they are used for all different reasons. I will spare you the details. Anyway, multiple helmets, lights, gloves, jackets, the list goes on. Is anyone out there like this or am I really the only one?

I guess when it's said and done, I just like to be prepared for different scenarios.

chephy

I tend to gravitate towards minimalism. I do not like "stuff" and all the effort you have to put into organizing and maintaining it. Though I did at one point entertain the idea of curating a sizeable bke stable... but that idea never became reality.

I try to go for high-quality gear that's relatively versatile, but not to the point where it tries to do everything (and ends up doing everything badly). So occasionally I will have two sets of something rather than one, but I don't go on and on buying new things. Consumerism is not my style.

I do have to admit though that I don't need my messenger bag. I just have it because I like it... But then I did need it when I bought it. I just moved on to other things since then, and am still keeping the bag as a reminder of the good ole days.

fietsbob

PDX has a zillion bike shops to Enable your consumerism. and there are bike people with Money, so stocking the pricey gear in abundance has economic sense

out here 1 shop, .. and we have many places to eat and drink and they survive off the Tourists and to smaller extent , locals . try to make it thru the winter,

or.. the other 3/4 of the year.

poormanbiking

I lean towards minimalism too. No bike specfic gear at all. Current stable of 2 working on the best route for 1 all around ride.

Barrettscv 

I recently did a little late season bike gear organizing. It was a little eye opening. The good news is that the bikes are hidden from view except for my study, which holds four bikes.

8 bikes that are ready to ride. 3 are for my adult children
1 vintage Trek frameset
4 surplus wheelsets
3 new STI Shimano brifters
3 surplus crankset
3 complete caliper brake sets
2 sets of Cantilever brakes
2 surplus downtube shifters
1 surplus bar end shifters
4 surplus cassettes
2 surplus freewheels
3 surplus front derailleurs
3 surplus rear derailleurs
3 sets of pedals
3 surplus sets of fat tires for the Monstercross bike
2 surplus sets of knobby Cyclocross tires
1 surplus set of Gatorskin road tires
10 New in the box tubes
8 used but reusable tubes
1 front and 3 rear racks
2 sets of fenders
6 sets of brake pads
5 lbs of new and used fasteners
2 new sets of brake and shifter cables
2 floor pumps
4 frame pumps
2 sets of Look shoe clips

Yep, I'm glad the obsession is under control.

mcours2006

Cycling is one of those activities/hobbies that is tailor made for gear heads,..so is fishing and golf.

I could see myself becoming a gear head, but I will fight it. So far just a couple of bikes, and a vintage rebuild,..come to think of it I've been putting in an order at CRC every couple of weeks.

BobbyG

When I returned to cycle commuting a few years ago I bought a few different backpacks at Goodwill to determine the size and style that worked for me. And when I had a run of commuting before that I bought a beater bike to tinker on so I wouldn't mess with my main ride. Oh, and 25 year ago I was messing with all sorts of lighting (no affordable LEDs back then).

TGT1

Rode the same Schwinn from the 80's till last year when I squandered some inherited cash on a new shiny Ti bike.
It, hopefully will be the last one I buy.
If I was only commuting, I wouldn't have bought it. The Schwinn was just fine for that.

Still using what was my son's book pack when he left high school for the Air Force sixteen years ago for a commuter pack.
It ain't broke, so I ain't fixin' it. It will last till I retire.

I have developed a weakness a weakness for cycling specific clothing, but still opt for what's the best bang for the buck and could care less who's brand it is.

Now playing with gearing and tires, that could become a problem.

Resisting that temptation!

bmthom.gis

I could easily become one...i picked up a part time job at my LBS for the discounts and to fuel my obsession, until recently when BikeStreet went bankrupt. It was great while it lasted. Now the wife doesn't let me have as free a wallet anymore.

qclabrat

I can relate, I have about 20 packs and 10 work bags, just bought another Camelback for the color, sounding like a lady now, no disrespect of course.....

Sales fliers suck, I've deleted them on email before reading to not dig deeper in the hole....

krobinson103

Had 8 bikes. Relocating so I've trimmed it down to 2 and soon to be 1. Its nice having lots of toys but honestly you can build one to do most of what you need. As for clothes? Functional and cheap.

gdhillard

First world problems. I get what I need, and only what I need, used, and try to get by. I ride a 2008 Scott SUB 30, which I got at a pawn shop for $200, and have put 2100 miles on it since May. The bags, rack, bell and fenders came off my old commuter, a Miyata Ridge Runner set up for street. I ride in tee shirts, shorts, and converse sneakers, with toe clips, and a Nutcase helmet I got at Goodwill. For me, biking has little or nothing to do with shopping, and my passion, transportation and fitness costs me almost nothing. I suspect I enjoy my bike time as much as anyone. And I still get to pass a few guys in Lycra on carbon every week. Although I did get passed last week by a guy my age on an old steel mountain bike, with his right leg in a CAST! Ouch.

ThermionicScott 

I'd say if it's not causing any hardships to you or your loved ones, don't worry about it.

2_i 

I think you are all right if you can still complete such a gear inventory. I have no idea how many FDs, RDs, fenders etc. I have and even how I would count them when some other decomposed with pieces moved in-between and added. Ownerships of some bikes overlap, forks and frames lie here and there. I think I could equip 30-40 bikes with complete lighting systems. I have bikes in different countries just in case I might need them there .

MauiWowwee

Guilty. I'm always searching craigslist to see any bargain deals. Found a timbuk2 waterproof panniers at a REI garage sale last weekend that I couldn't pass up.

Barrettscv 

I actually keep a Trek Dual-sport hybrid bike at my Father-in-law's home in Italy. I'm thinking of adding a road bike next year when I travel there again . Small town Italy is a paradise for cycling, with hundreds of miles of scenic roads within easy day trip access.

I considered bringing a bike with me. A road bike or touring bike with a triple would have been a good choice. However, I would have needed to spend somewhere in the $800 to $1300 range and then pay $150 to fly it in each direction. I would need a rental car to transport the bike from the international airport to my final destination. I also would have needed a day at a local bike shop to assemble and adjust the bike after unpacking it. I decided to buy a basic hybrid bike upon arrival. Here is a local route: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/410329428/

Walter S

I guess gear addicts are good for the economy. Personally I'd rather keep my money and keep my life simple.

mgw4jc

Relocating, especially moving from bigger to smaller has forced me to keep the amount of extra stuff down (be it bikes or other hobbies). I suspect those with long lists of gear have not moved in a long time.

I have 3 bikes, plus we have 3 for the kids and one for the wife. But only the necessary helmets, a few tools, and tubes as far as gear goes. I have some road biking clothes, but usually only buy from the clearance rack.

hyhuu

OP - The equipment manufacturers want to send you a thank you card.

Leebo

No problems here. 9 bikes, a few odd frames, boxes of take off parts, etc. At the top of the garage hold tires ,rims and wheels on long poles. And some more roadside finds in the shed.

alan s 

I don't own a single backpack. Everything goes on the rack. Tried riding with one once, hated it, and returned it immediately. Didn't feel the need to go out and buy more and more to try to make it work. I could tell with just one commute that backpacks and I would never get along.

Rick@OCRR

I agree in the commuting context. I have one backpack (REI) and have used it for commuting, but didn't like it. I also have a Timbuktu messenger bag but have never used it for its intended purpose.

I have Topeak rack trunk on my commute bike. Works great!

Rick / OCRR

PatrickGSR94

I buy stuff as the need arises, especially if the need has been there and I've been putting it off, and a sale comes up.

I have multiple shorts and jerseys so I don't have to wash and wear the same stuff after every single commute. I could use another skull cap and gloves so I don't have to deal with stinky ones during the week.

But other than that I try to make stuff work on multiple bikes. I have one trunk bag, one front light, and 2 rear lights. But both my bikes have racks and light mounts to use those same lights on. I only just recently picked up a 2nd seat bag, tire levers and patch kit to keep on my utility bike, so I don't have to move the bag between it and my road bike.

2_i 

Wow, if I had a father-in-law at such a location, he would have hard time getting rid of me . Around my every-few-year opportunity Italian destination I also have such vistas, but no bike infrastructure whatsoever there, no rental, no acquaintances. I thought as well about hauling a folder, but it would be 2 days of travel by public transport (bus/train) for a 5 day stay. The decision was then in favor of just walking around.