Barrettscv 

I've sold four bikes in the last two months. These were interesting C&V bikes built from Reynolds or Columbus steel tubing. I purchased and restored these bikes prior to Covid and I'm enjoying the elimination of some redundant bikes and a significant amount of extra extra cash. I still have a Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra and a 1971 PX-10, so I can still satisfy my occasional urge for a retro ride. I'm now looking at my Carbon fiber bikes and I'm wondering if my Endurace bike can do it all.

Trsnrtr

I was a year or so ago and sold several bikes to get down to two but I’ve since become n+1 again.

Champlaincycler

I've never allowed myself more than 2 bikes for a few reasons. First was simple storage, second was a misguided belief that , in my wife's eyes, I'need to rid myself of one before buying another. I joined the world of indoor cyclists a few years back though and now wish that I'd held on to a third bike. Not real fond of keeping my good bikes on the trainer and having to take them on and off during shoulder seasons is bothersome. I'm keeping my eye out for a reasonably priced bike for trainer purposes but finding it difficult.
More to your point, I like having a light road bike and a decent gravel ride so 2 bikes are nice, at least in the area I ride in.

dmark 

In spirit if not in practice.

skidder

I've got 6 bicycles, all ride great, but only four are 'regular riders'. They have an emotional value to me since I've built them from odd parts, one is an old 'gas-pipe' Schwinn similar to what I had in my youth, and two I built from the frame up (unbranded Nashbar frames bought before they were swallowed up by an investment company). Unfortunately they are not brand-name and wouldn't be worth 'squat' if I put them up for sale. I'm keeping them and riding them.

Classtime 

I’m trying to sell 3 bikes and a frame set which will get me down to 3 bikes covering all the riding I do. Due to a combination of "The Market", I'm not really serious, and no way will I sell them at part-out-profit-taking prices, I've gotten a total of 3 inquiries. A while back, I had gotten down to those 3 bikes but...

Tomm Willians

The wife and I went through this about a year or more ago. To that point I think I had 15 and she had 17? We finally woke up to the absurdity of it and are now down to 5-6 each.

delbiker1 

I have gone N-3, from a total of 8. I sold none of them, gave away to a friend and a couple of nephews. I still want to do another N-2, but I really like the 5 that are left. I know I would be okay with it once they are gone, but the thought of never riding them again sort of bugs me.

nlerner

I'd really like to get down to 10 a year from now and then 5 a year after. Currently at 22, which I have space for, but too many just never really get ridden.

rsbob 

Yeah I need to unload a racing bike. Still would leave me with four. Maybe I should unload two.

scottfsmith

I’m recently down to N=1. It’s amazingly nice how much room I have in the garage now 😁. My endurance bike does it all good enough for me.

Classtime 

trolling?!

SurferRosa

I thought I was at a good number with 5. And then a friend just gave me 6, no questions asked. Even gave me some herb, he said "to sweeten the deal."

Here's to friendship!

delbiker1 

Share the sweetness?

rumrunn6

I've got one that needs to go but I want to save the tires that are on it now. just need to do it

staehpj1

I have shed several. I do think about treating myself to something new though.

Classtime 

Maybe I should include some in my CL adds.

Charles Lathe

From five to one over the past few years. I do have a frame and fork in the attic.

easyupbug 

I tried N-1 in December, a nice custom, DA, Tange Ultimate Superlight and fortunately the guy still has not paid me. I have a full 7 daily rider rack plus, 6 hanging for the kids and grandkid visits. Another 6 hanging for maintenance, decals, paint, etc., and 3 frames. I have too much room in my shop, for bad arthritis days I have a touring recumbent trike and of course I needed a folding recumbent trike as we are snow birds. I need a paradigm shift.

blakcloud

At one time I tried to get down to one bike but for me three is the magic number for the different types of riding I do.

The Brompton for travelling and when I need a folding bike. The Rivendell with upright bars to ride with my wife who also has a Rivendell. The last bike is my Trek Domane for my solo go slightly faster rides. Came very close to purchasing a gravel bike but decided I didn't need another bike when my Trek can do 80% of what a gravel bike can do. I don't want to duplicate bikes.

Your magic number may be different and is subject to change at any time!

base2 

I have tried the N-1. For the life of me I can't do it. Every bike I've given away or donated has come back as 2.

It's all good though. After seeing the numbers posted here, I can see rehab is for addicts.

FWIW: I keep reconfiguring frames so no one really knows.

ofajen

I’ve been at N=2 for about 30 years. I ride mainly on crushed stone trails, so, in theory, I only need one.

OTOH, it’s kinda nice to have a second bike if I go to the garage to start a ride and see a flat tire. So, for now, it will stay this way.

Eventually, I could see using a single bike made for modern “gravel bike” tire widths of 35 to 42 mm, instead of a roadish bike with 32s and an MTB with 2.2” tires.

Otto

Kobe 

I am at 4 right now and that seems to be right around where I hover. The most I have had is 7 and least is 3, so I feel pretty good being at the lower end.

Bob Ross

This is the closest I've come to n-1 mode:

I've been toying with the idea of getting a new Pursuit as a retirement gift to myself (and soon, hopefully!) and while the initial thought was to get one of the Pursuit Pure Road models to replace my Cannondale Synapse, I realized that since I only ride unpaved surfaces very infrequently and won't be commuting anymore (by definition ...did I mention I hope it happens soon?) I could instead get a Pursuit Supple Road and then have that one bike replace both my Synapse and my CAADX.

So n-1 might happen.

John E

I have been holding at my current count (4 in operating order; the rest are projects) for two years, with the Carlton being the most recent acquisition, a gift from my wife's sister. Since much of my cycling is for utility purposes, the mountain bike sees more use than any of the others, although the Bianchi is fun on the local neighborhood exercise loop I have mapped out.