Do you have a bike that you're really, really fond of that you prefer for most of your rides? But does it come not-quite-as-close to perfection for some rides? Have you thought about maybe getting a similar bike, and setting it up with slightly different gears, bars, etc. to make it better for those other rides? Something besides swapping the tires and wheels to 'dial-in' for perfection riding.

I have a really sweet GT Xizang that I bought new in 1995. She's titanium with all late model Shimano XTR components. Hardtail rear with front suspension. Rear rack. I'm using her more for road, commuting and some touring.

Now, I'm looking at buying another GT Xizang titanium frame - same hardtail and same size. But I'm looking to build up with slightly different parts for special trail rides.

I'm wondering right now if it's a good idea. Do any of you have any experience with having non-identical twins - or suggestions?

You get to make your own choices. I try to keep my different bikes as diverse as possible. I think I would consider the two niches you plan to fill with the two bikes and decide which the current frame is best suited for and modify it to make it optimal for that purpose. Then I would analyze the second niche and decide what frame in my budget would best suit that purpose. That has never led me to get two of the same frame.

Yup...I have twins

Aaron

Not something that I'd do.

If I were to have 2 bikes, I'd want them to be significantly different so that I could choose which was going to be a better fit for whatever I was planning to do that day.

Different horses for different courses. I try to have my bikes set up for specific circumstances:

Specialized Roubaix Pro: all-day bike
Ridley Excalibur: fast bike
Soma Double Cross: winter/bad weather bike
Kona Sutra: commute bike
Specialized Stumpjumper Elite: mountain bike

But there really is no wrong answer here. If you want a second version of your present bike, go for it.

xizangstan, I've had nearly identical road bikes and still had a preference for one of the two, so I sold one. Now they had both served the same purpose and it reads like you'll build up an off road version of your road bike, that should work.

Brad

Nice list! How is your Soma set-up?

Trek vintage 7000zx, 7000zx, 8000sl. Each bike is set up much diffferently, different purpose. Obviously, I like these frames and how easy they are to upgrade, adapt. There are advantages to knowing the nuances of any particular bike and doing part swaps between bikes.

Been thinking about this and I can't see the point of having twin bikes. I know you are setting them up with different components but that is not going to affect how they ride by much- You will have two identical bikes- doing the same job on the things they are good at and neither able to do the things that the other is not so good at.

I would prefer to have bikes for different uses- say one for hills and one for speed. I don't have the speed bike but I do have two bikes similarly set up as that is the fit that I like. Two good bikes as well but I do prefer to ride one of them on my normal rides. However- if it is going to be a hilly ride- then the "2nd" bike will be used. I know that they now have different gearing but Even when they had identical gearing- one of those bikes went up hills and the other flew up them. They are different Manufacturers- different Geometry and different materials but as Far as I am concerned- each bike has it own Forte.

The one that goes up hills is also the bike I will use on the longer rides. So why do I like the other one? No Idea but it feels more comfortable and seems to be faster. That is also the bike I use on the rolling hills North of me round the country lanes as it does descend and turn easier than the other.

So if I had two bikes -Which I have- I would prefer them to have different abilities -Which they do- but I would still want each bike to be as good as the other-- Which they are.

I just thought about another set of twins that I have...

Aaron

And! my wife has twins...

Aaron

Aaron - I like your and your wife's thinking!

Yeah, guys. I see what you mean about different bikes for different kinds of riding. Maybe I'm just in love with one and am dreaming about also having her sister. I knew a guy once who had a mother-daughter team at the same time. Kind of the same idea...