N+1....does it ever stop?
 

Just curious what everyone thinks. Throughout the next year, my plan is to put together my dream bike (or so I think). With that in mind, I was wondering if my wandering eyes will stop at that bike or will I want another once I'm done? My partner posits this as well and he is skeptical that I'll be done. What do you all think?

By the way, this is my dream: I want high end old school looking city bike that rides and functions like a modern day bike. At first, I started to lust over steel frames (Cielo) then I started thinking, I really love the way brushed titanium looks. So I've decided that the Lynskey Cooper CMT is the frame that I want to start with. Add to that, Chris king hubs laced to DT Swiss TK540 hoops, CK headset and BB, Shimano XTR or DuraAce drivetrain (I haven't decided yet), Brooks saddles and grips, and finish it off with some sort of Ti handlebar (no drops, something like the FSA Metropolis but rendered in Ti...I've talked to Carver and they said that they could build something like that for me). All in, I'm looking at over $5k in the build. That'll be the most expensive bike that I've ever built. I think it'll be a lovely build. I plan on green headset, BB, and Salsa green skewers and seatpost clamp. Polished Thomson seatpost and stem. Hoops and spokes in black, hubs in silver/chrome. Brown Brooks saddle and grips. Right now, I'm dreaming and composing the bike in my head.

My goal is to have all the parts and assemble the bike throughout the next year. I'd do it right away, but I might end up sleeping on the couch for a very long duration if I go drop all that cash all at once. My partner has agreed to the plan. He says if it's my dream bike, go ahead and do it. I'm afraid though that I'll get it built and then my eyes will start to wander. Will I want a new fangled carbon fiber road racer? Or will I want a steel bike next? My current bikes include a heavily modified Giant Escape and a modern carbon fiber bodied s-works FSR Stump jumper. So, what do you all think? Will my eyes stop wandering? Should I just continue to dream about it and purposely never finish it so that I'll have something to constantly work on?

Or, do I just give into the impulse and let n+1 rule?

You could always put the original parts back on the Escape and use those parts to build a new bike. All you need is a frame :P

does it ever stop? god, i hope so!

What, are you kidding me? No way, LOL.

I don't think so.. I seem to have a different bike every year. I think it depends on what you're wanting. If that changes, then you'll want something that fills that need. I'm hoping my Moots will be the last bike I'll buy, but I somehow doubt it.

N+1....does it ever stop?



:lol: ......... nope!

it really doesn't ever stop. it's a sickness. in a good way. :)

Haven't you heard of bike anonymous or the N+1 support group. And it gets worse when you build your first bike, its so addictive, there is always another dream bike. You just finish your road bike, then you think that ti may be better than carbon, then the igh drive train with 14 speeds that's "bulletproof". Well, off to my support group.

You'd be a pretty boreing person if your idea of a dream bike doesn't change at some point between now and when you die. If your partner doesn't also evolve as time goes on, I'd be looking for an upgrade for him too.

By defnition, N+1 does not stop...

... Unless your partner ceases support for your bike habit, then the S-1 rule will come into effect.

Its's better when your partner also suffers from N+1... If I want a new bike, I just have make sure she gets one too. :love:

n+1 applies to hobbies across the board. It explains how I wound up with over 40 fishing rods. I've thinned the forest down to about 20. :D

Yikes, N+2 sounds fun, but tough on the checkbook!

LOL...he doesn't suffer from N+1 anything. Unless of course, I start to put the bug in his ear. He isn't averse to N+1. The other day we were in a local LBS and he was eying a Trek Domane. I told him he needed it, so we should get it. Maybe I was doing that so that he would be more amenable to my new bike, LOL! He told me that perhaps after another season of riding, he may want a more road focused bike....I hope he does :D

a la Mort.. then its someone else's C&V..

My wife is the same way, she had no problem with my cyclocross bike, she was too busy enjoying her new folding bike :D

That's how Rowan and I operate. :) Everything comes in pairs ... 2 titanium bicycles, 2 touring bicycles ....

I bought my dream bike, and it was going to be the last bike I ever bought - I've gotten three new ones since then. On the other hand, it's stopped for me, at least for the present. For one thing, I have absolutely no space to stash another bike, but probably more important, I now have at least one bike for every type of riding I do. I don't "need" any more. If I bought one it would either be a duplicate of one I already have or else be rather unused because it would be for a type of riding I don't do.

I am only going to do the N+1 thing one more time, then I will stop.

Mike

I topped out at 15 bikes, now down to 8, I have sold three and given away four. I have family members that ride so it was easy to give them a few I knew they would like and use.
I sold three road bikes and gave away two and two mtn bikes.

Yes it can. I've owned many bikes over the years but a few years ago I had to cut it down to one bike to take with me on the road. Best decision ever. Of course I had to spend a little to get her set up the way I needed but she does it all. I'm a happy one bike man

Needs and wants are constantly changing, my cycling goals are a constant state of flux. I may not need another bike but the best bike for my needs may be different.