How many bikes do you need if you're not car-centric?
12-10-14, 03:52 PM
#101
Banned
Eeek! I've laid it down a few times and haven't contacted the front tire yet (knock on wood). The most common ice riding bail mode is to lay it down, which usually keeps you away from the front tire and the rear triangle helps keep rear tire and legs from interacting too much. Hardest part is mounting the tires.
Makes me think of Ice Racing Motorcycles (closed Course, Speedway ).. https://motorcycleinfo.org/wp-content...motorcycle.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...aschine_05.JPG
the Suomi Nokian tire studs dont not have to stick up so high and be so sharp to work fine on Glare Ice. On my Bicycle. (at slow, Bicycle, speeds)
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-10-14 at 04:00 PM.
12-10-14, 04:17 PM
#102
Prefers Cicero
My minimum number of bikes would be three. A winter bike, a summer bike and an all-season back up bike. The summer bike has skinny, slick tires, and even though I don't usually ride in ice and snow, you can occasionally get unexpected ice patches or freezing rain in later fall and early spring, plus there are a lot of potholes in spring, so I ride the "winter" bike with fatter tires at the extreme end or beginning of my cycling season. In summer, the winter bike can be a back up, but in winter, I need a winter back up.
I suppose I could just have 2 all-season bikes, but having a slightly lighter and faster summer bike helps me minimize sweating and avoid the need to shower at work on hot days.
I suppose I could just have 2 all-season bikes, but having a slightly lighter and faster summer bike helps me minimize sweating and avoid the need to shower at work on hot days.
Last edited by cooker; 12-10-14 at 04:26 PM.
12-11-14, 01:28 AM
#103
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If space were an issue, I'd probably go with one bike and two wheelsets, rotating the tires as needed for various seasons and purposes.
I'm currently pretty happy with a summer bike, an all-season bike, and a winter/cargo bike. I use the winter/cargo bike for winter riding and hauling (with studs) and summer hauling. The all-season bike isn't ideal for any particular situation, but makes a decent road bike when the streets are covered in dirt and can also haul decently (so I don't have to change tires for times, like now, when our ice has evaporated but isn't gone for the season.)
I'm currently pretty happy with a summer bike, an all-season bike, and a winter/cargo bike. I use the winter/cargo bike for winter riding and hauling (with studs) and summer hauling. The all-season bike isn't ideal for any particular situation, but makes a decent road bike when the streets are covered in dirt and can also haul decently (so I don't have to change tires for times, like now, when our ice has evaporated but isn't gone for the season.)
12-11-14, 05:54 AM
#104
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My then-girlfriend-now-wife and I bought Merciers identical to the above, including paint job and decals back around 1972, and toured in Michigan and Ontario, even though they were road bikes, including with sew-op tires. Our honeymoon was a cross-country trip from LA to DC, and those tires were a bane of the trip. We further toured in New England and the Maritime Provinces after replacing the wheels.
I had a Schwinn Suburban five-speed I bought around 1970 when I started my adult cycling lifestyle, because I had a very basic knowledge of cycling, and Schwinn was a brand name. Then in about 1972 I wanted a “really nice bike," so my then-girlfriend-now-wife and I bought Merciers with Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing and sew-up tires, though we were really cycle-tourists, but did use them on a cross-country tour...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-11-14 at 07:59 AM.
12-11-14, 06:36 AM
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How many bikes do you need if you're not car-centric?
I like the term, “not car-centric” to describe my life style. The above quote nicely describes a major concern of the lifestyle. I recently posted to a commuter thread, “Inadvertently Hired a Bike Commuter” about all my alternatives.
I find that two bikes are entirely satisfactory for year round cycle commuting. I have a pristine high level carbon fiber road bike that is fine for even the potholed streets of Boston, and actually encourages me to ride because it's such a dream machine. My beater mountain bike is for any inclement weather, and I put on studded tires for the entire winter months. I think about an N+1 folder to bring when I travel far for business or vacation (by car or train), but otherwise rent or borrow.
RyeRey recently asked on the Commuter Forum, ”Who has converted to a 1 car family…?”
…Really if you commute by bicycle you should be leaving a cushion of time anyway in case you have a flat. So if you discovered a slow-leak flat occurred overnight you have time to fix it.
Ideal is to have a bicycle and live near public transportation to where you work, so you always have a backup anyway. I think employers expect you to show up for work no matter what your transportation. Of course being understanding about very rare lateness due to exceptional circumstances should occur no matter what method of transportation. It seems though that automobile drivers have more - it is not the breakdowns but the "I got stuck in traffic" one.
Ideal is to have a bicycle and live near public transportation to where you work, so you always have a backup anyway. I think employers expect you to show up for work no matter what your transportation. Of course being understanding about very rare lateness due to exceptional circumstances should occur no matter what method of transportation. It seems though that automobile drivers have more - it is not the breakdowns but the "I got stuck in traffic" one.
My job requires that I reliably show up for work, sometimes quickly under urgent circumstances, 24/7 when on call, and I live 14 miles away. I don't punch a clock, but 8:30 AM is a reasonable start time, and I can start working earlier as soon as I arrive. When I was hired, 32 years ago I offered the information that I would commute via bike and train (Commuter Rail station about 0.2 miles away from work, and about 2 miles from home). My employer looked dubious, but might have been desperate.
In my mind, I firmly resolved not to mess up. Besides the train, we do have a car and it’s a reverse commute from downtown to the suburbs. There is also (slow, but regular) bus service; cruising taxis are readily available round the clock in my neighborhood ($70 fare to work), plenty of convenient car rental agencies near home and work, Zipcar service in the neighborhood, and I have a place to stay at work comfortably overnight.
For the first few years, I occasionally had a dream about riding my bike and being far away, or lost, and trying to get there for a crucial task. One other promise I made to myself was never to borrow a car from a co-worker (vs friend or family), but I do bum rides if I the driver is going my way.
I'm well known to be always in early, even in the worst weather, and when I'm in at, or past the usual start time, people worry about me.
In my mind, I firmly resolved not to mess up. Besides the train, we do have a car and it’s a reverse commute from downtown to the suburbs. There is also (slow, but regular) bus service; cruising taxis are readily available round the clock in my neighborhood ($70 fare to work), plenty of convenient car rental agencies near home and work, Zipcar service in the neighborhood, and I have a place to stay at work comfortably overnight.
For the first few years, I occasionally had a dream about riding my bike and being far away, or lost, and trying to get there for a crucial task. One other promise I made to myself was never to borrow a car from a co-worker (vs friend or family), but I do bum rides if I the driver is going my way.
I'm well known to be always in early, even in the worst weather, and when I'm in at, or past the usual start time, people worry about me.
RyeRey recently asked on the Commuter Forum, ”Who has converted to a 1 car family…?”
My question I suppose would be more along the lines of logistically how do you guys deal with those days where both people "need" the car, or how was the transition from a fair/ dry weather commuter to a "anything goes" one? … I live in South Jersey (The densely populated part), have a 11-mile commute, and sometimes need my vehicle for work (Infrequent and can be planned ahead of time)….
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 12-11-14 at 07:28 AM.
12-13-14, 03:59 AM
#107
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I am lucky enough to live in Southern California, where the hardest weather we get is rain, so its a matter of having 2 bikes just because I like bikes.
12-13-14, 01:01 PM
#108
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If I took recreational riding out of the picture, I could fill the vast majority of my transportation needs with one bike. Call it one and a half in that my partner and I share a cargo bike, which I do need on a fairly regular basis. Although if I had a drivers license, Zipcar would be a perfectly viable alternative where I live, so for the most part one would totally do the trick.
In reality though, I do appreciate having my "recreational" bikes as backup if I need to go somewhere and discover that I have a flat or something. I'm leery of leaving them locked up places, but there are enough places where I can keep an eye on my bike or bring it in that it's still useful. The cargo bike can fill that use too, actually. And sometimes I use my touring bike as transportation to places that are 100+ mi away, which is sort of half recreational and half utilitarian. So while I actually have four bikes that get ridden regularly, I could take care of my basic needs with just one.
In reality though, I do appreciate having my "recreational" bikes as backup if I need to go somewhere and discover that I have a flat or something. I'm leery of leaving them locked up places, but there are enough places where I can keep an eye on my bike or bring it in that it's still useful. The cargo bike can fill that use too, actually. And sometimes I use my touring bike as transportation to places that are 100+ mi away, which is sort of half recreational and half utilitarian. So while I actually have four bikes that get ridden regularly, I could take care of my basic needs with just one.
12-14-14, 05:55 AM
#109
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You probably need as many bikes as you're accustomed to.
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12-14-14, 06:33 AM
#110
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Better step up your game, current count is over 30 now... 
Brought in some more vintage stuff, a city bike and a new to me cruiser.
Aaron
Brought in some more vintage stuff, a city bike and a new to me cruiser.Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
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Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
12-18-14, 03:53 PM
#111
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I've got four, but plan on selling one of them (a tandem) once I get around to it.
Two of the bikes are nearly identical. I have my normal commute bike, and then a second (semi-retired commute bike) which has wider gearing and a trailer hitch on it. The two are very similar because this way if I get on my commute bike in the morning and have a flat or some other issue, I can either take the other bike, or swap wheels with the other bike and be on my way. In 5 years of being car free, I haven't missed a work day or been late due to mechanical issues. I also have a fun bike for recreational riding - very pretty, very fast, but not very practical.
Two of the bikes are nearly identical. I have my normal commute bike, and then a second (semi-retired commute bike) which has wider gearing and a trailer hitch on it. The two are very similar because this way if I get on my commute bike in the morning and have a flat or some other issue, I can either take the other bike, or swap wheels with the other bike and be on my way. In 5 years of being car free, I haven't missed a work day or been late due to mechanical issues. I also have a fun bike for recreational riding - very pretty, very fast, but not very practical.
12-21-14, 06:28 AM
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Right now I am getting by with one; but I am not really happy about it. My other bikes are in Salt Lake City. It is a good bike for commuting; but I really don't like it for distance riding. As such, I have not been going on many recreational rides. Obviously, this is something I intend to change.
12-21-14, 08:36 PM
#113
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Right now I am getting by with one; but I am not really happy about it. My other bikes are in Salt Lake City. It is a good bike for commuting; but I really don't like it for distance riding. As such, I have not been going on many recreational rides. Obviously, this is something I intend to change.
When I first moved to San Francisco, I left the rest of my bikes back down south and bought myself a city bike from a local San Francisco LBS for commuting to work. Did not like it at all for anything other than commuting to work, so I did not go on many recreational rides on it. Once I moved the rest of my stable up here, though, I got rid of the city bike (sold it off quickly on Craigslist). Now I ride my Surly Long Haul Trucker for everything I do: commuting, grocery shopping, errands, long road rides, bikepacking/bike camping/touring, off-road trail riding in Marin...
Well, I did that until California got hit with some rainstorms recently. Feels like it rained all month long this December (and the end of November as well)! Riding through so much rain and flooding has basically destroyed the bearings in my rear wheel's cassette hub. That's what I'm guessing, because none of the spokes are broken, nor is there any loose tension on them. So now I'm riding my back-up bike!
So, to answer the thread title question, I think the minimum any car-free bike rider should have is TWO. One as your main/daily rider, and a second back-up bike to ride when your main rider requires maintenance and/or repairs. Unless you're okay with taking public transportation when your bike is out of commission, like my Surly is at the moment. I strongly dislike taking MUNI to commute to work, which is why I am glad that I have a back-up bike to last me until the Surly's wheels get replaced. I wore out the rims, so rather than fix the hub and ride on rims that are near the end of their lives, I opted to buy a new wheelset. Now I'm just waiting for that wheelset to arrive so that I can get back on my Surly!
N+1 for me, though. I plan on getting at least 3 more bikes in the future (one for mountain biking, one for long road rides, and one for...well, a lighter & more agile version of what I use my Surly LHT for).
12-23-14, 02:52 AM
#114
Sophomoric Member
I know what you mean. It sucks. Feels like a lot of missed opportunities when you don't have your preferred ride with ya
When I first moved to San Francisco, I left the rest of my bikes back down south and bought myself a city bike from a local San Francisco LBS for commuting to work. Did not like it at all for anything other than commuting to work, so I did not go on many recreational rides on it. Once I moved the rest of my stable up here, though, I got rid of the city bike (sold it off quickly on Craigslist). Now I ride my Surly Long Haul Trucker for everything I do: commuting, grocery shopping, errands, long road rides, bikepacking/bike camping/touring, off-road trail riding in Marin...
Well, I did that until California got hit with some rainstorms recently. Feels like it rained all month long this December (and the end of November as well)! Riding through so much rain and flooding has basically destroyed the bearings in my rear wheel's cassette hub. That's what I'm guessing, because none of the spokes are broken, nor is there any loose tension on them. So now I'm riding my back-up bike!
So, to answer the thread title question, I think the minimum any car-free bike rider should have is TWO. One as your main/daily rider, and a second back-up bike to ride when your main rider requires maintenance and/or repairs. Unless you're okay with taking public transportation when your bike is out of commission, like my Surly is at the moment. I strongly dislike taking MUNI to commute to work, which is why I am glad that I have a back-up bike to last me until the Surly's wheels get replaced. I wore out the rims, so rather than fix the hub and ride on rims that are near the end of their lives, I opted to buy a new wheelset. Now I'm just waiting for that wheelset to arrive so that I can get back on my Surly!
N+1 for me, though. I plan on getting at least 3 more bikes in the future (one for mountain biking, one for long road rides, and one for...well, a lighter & more agile version of what I use my Surly LHT for).
When I first moved to San Francisco, I left the rest of my bikes back down south and bought myself a city bike from a local San Francisco LBS for commuting to work. Did not like it at all for anything other than commuting to work, so I did not go on many recreational rides on it. Once I moved the rest of my stable up here, though, I got rid of the city bike (sold it off quickly on Craigslist). Now I ride my Surly Long Haul Trucker for everything I do: commuting, grocery shopping, errands, long road rides, bikepacking/bike camping/touring, off-road trail riding in Marin...
Well, I did that until California got hit with some rainstorms recently. Feels like it rained all month long this December (and the end of November as well)! Riding through so much rain and flooding has basically destroyed the bearings in my rear wheel's cassette hub. That's what I'm guessing, because none of the spokes are broken, nor is there any loose tension on them. So now I'm riding my back-up bike!
So, to answer the thread title question, I think the minimum any car-free bike rider should have is TWO. One as your main/daily rider, and a second back-up bike to ride when your main rider requires maintenance and/or repairs. Unless you're okay with taking public transportation when your bike is out of commission, like my Surly is at the moment. I strongly dislike taking MUNI to commute to work, which is why I am glad that I have a back-up bike to last me until the Surly's wheels get replaced. I wore out the rims, so rather than fix the hub and ride on rims that are near the end of their lives, I opted to buy a new wheelset. Now I'm just waiting for that wheelset to arrive so that I can get back on my Surly!
N+1 for me, though. I plan on getting at least 3 more bikes in the future (one for mountain biking, one for long road rides, and one for...well, a lighter & more agile version of what I use my Surly LHT for).
Aother consideration is how good your backup plans are in case you're left bikeless.
If you have good public transportation, or somebody can give you a ride in an emergency, you can probably get by with only one bike.
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12-23-14, 07:32 AM
#115
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I think you're right about wanting two (or more) bikes for being carfree. I only actually own one bike right now, but there are a few "house bikes" around the homestead. I wouldn't want to ride a century on any of them, but they're adequate for trips to the store or appointments.
Aother consideration is how good your backup plans are in case you're left bikeless. If you have good public transportation, or somebody can give you a ride in an emergency, you can probably get by with only one bike.
Aother consideration is how good your backup plans are in case you're left bikeless.
If you have good public transportation, or somebody can give you a ride in an emergency, you can probably get by with only one bike.Last edited by Ekdog; 12-23-14 at 07:42 AM.
12-23-14, 09:18 PM
#116
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Also, my place of employment has a shuttle service that can drop me off within walking distance of work (across the street), or home (40-45 minute walk) around the time that my shift is over. It doesn't run at the beginning of my work shift, which would really be a heck of a lot more useful though.
12-26-14, 08:24 PM
#117
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We live in the city CBD (Auckland), lots of hills and rain. Real estate and rent are crazy expensive here but without gas, insurance, etc, the higher cost of living in the CBD is offset w/out car dependant costs. My office is close (10min walk) and I pass by a grocery store on my commute. My job requires me to get to several project sites- all close to my office- and attend meetings within the city that are doable by bike. I have four bikes that a split riding quite evenly. I do quite a bit of different riding and like having some choice to suit my needs and mood:
Urban bike- Cannondale Hooligan- as I do quite a bit of slow speed riding on shared footpaths. The 20" wheels and frame design make it practical to quickly manuever/dismount. Plus a Hooli is cool city tool!
Commuter bike- vintage steel celeste Bianchi Axis- canti brakes allow for great traction Conteniental cyclocross Race tires for a mix of gravel, dirt and wet street. Fenders and a rack for hauling. Very durable on hills running stock Suntour triple w/ bar end shifters.
Hipster singlepeed/fixie- Specialized Langster- was my bunch ride tool before I built up a proper road machine. Now mostly used for hill climb training or keep at office (in a secure basement cage) for speedy lightweight ride for meetings more than 20 mins ride from my office.
Road machine- celeste Bianchi steel TSX Record- for bunch rides. I completely built up after finding the frame 3 years ago. She's a pampered beauty. Yes, I am a celeste Bianchi fiend...
Lastly note that I have a Honda Ruckus scooter (50cc) that is small, cool and very cheap vehicle to operate for grocery runs and errands that can sometimes be problematic on a bike.
Urban bike- Cannondale Hooligan- as I do quite a bit of slow speed riding on shared footpaths. The 20" wheels and frame design make it practical to quickly manuever/dismount. Plus a Hooli is cool city tool!
Commuter bike- vintage steel celeste Bianchi Axis- canti brakes allow for great traction Conteniental cyclocross Race tires for a mix of gravel, dirt and wet street. Fenders and a rack for hauling. Very durable on hills running stock Suntour triple w/ bar end shifters.
Hipster singlepeed/fixie- Specialized Langster- was my bunch ride tool before I built up a proper road machine. Now mostly used for hill climb training or keep at office (in a secure basement cage) for speedy lightweight ride for meetings more than 20 mins ride from my office.
Road machine- celeste Bianchi steel TSX Record- for bunch rides. I completely built up after finding the frame 3 years ago. She's a pampered beauty. Yes, I am a celeste Bianchi fiend...
Lastly note that I have a Honda Ruckus scooter (50cc) that is small, cool and very cheap vehicle to operate for grocery runs and errands that can sometimes be problematic on a bike.
12-27-14, 09:48 AM
#118
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BTW...my beater is dependable and FUN. Way more fun than my touring bike in traffic and around town. And the added benefit that it would be relatively cheap to replace seals the deal. The tourer has full fenders so often gets used in the worst weather as well.
Also, when one bike needs service, I just use the other one until I get some spare time to fix the broken one.
So for me right now...minimum TWO dependable bikes.
