Lately I've been testing and experimenting with many bikes, and some have asked which ones I ride on a regular basis. Or do I ride a different one every day? Well, definitely not that. Despite a penchant for accumulating temporary and permanent bicycles, I prefer to ride the same ones over and over, and the fewer the better. The rotation changes, but the pattern has been three bikes at a time. Now that it's the hottest part of the summer, I've been riding the mixte for transportation, as well as a roadbike and a touring bike for sporty rides. As the cold season approaches I will start riding the mixte less and my hardy 3-speeds more. For roadcycling I will probably switch to a fixed gear as the days grow shorter, because it packs more punch into shorter rides. But all in all, it's pretty much no more than three bikes at a time for me, one of which is always a fully equipped transportation bike.
Giving this some more thought, I can see how I arrived at experimenting with multiple bikes. I don't drive, so every time I leave the house to do anything it is on a bike. But I
don't have a consistent commute either, instead traveling between different places numerous times a day. The destinations vary, the distances vary, even the terrain varies. And that's all just for transportation. Add an interest in touring and roadcycling to the mix, and it's easy to see how things can get out of hand!
How many bikes do you have in rotation at a time? Do you enjoy switching from one bike to another, or are you a creature of habit who prefers to stick with the same one(s)?
I prefer to stick to the same ones, mainly because if I had to actually decide which bike to ride I'd never end up going anywhere :-p
ReplyDeleteThen again, we don't get much snow around here (though it does get close to zero some winters and even lower overnight) and I don't really do rides that I'd class as being sporty, so my needs are a lot less varied and don't need anything more specific than what I've already got.
I find that, like you, I might own a few bikes at a time, but I ride two or three of them during a particular period of time (a season, usually). As an example, my road bikes won't see much action during the winter, but I will use a utilitarian bike for transportation and a fixed gear for recreational rides on short winter days.
ReplyDeleteI have four single bikes, and half a tandem. But I ride my Rivendell All-Rounder 90% of the time. The other bikes are specialized (small s) and just don't get dusted off and used all that much. A 29er MTB and a skinny-tired road bike on opposite ends of the spectrum, along with a 1970 Schwinn 3spd. I've thought about it and could easily go down to my one bike if necessary and without regret. It's a little bit heavy for a fast road bike, a little too delicate for a burly MTB, but if the engine is willing, it can go just about anywhere I need it to.
ReplyDeleteI have two, right now: the Raleigh Sports, and my Viva Kilo. They are very similar in terms of use, though I can rider the Sports harder, faster and longer than the enormous Kilo. Still, somedays nothing but a big Dutch-ish bike will do.
ReplyDeleteI have a new bike possibly coming soon, that will hopefully fit me and be faster. Right now, that's all I'm craving beyond what I have: a bit more speed and a few more gears. I think three is my magic number, but I said that about one... then two...
I keep three in the living room, two in the garage hanging from hooks. A flip-flop single speed stays in the living room year 'round for commuting on dry days. A light touring (long rides with bags) and a market bike (farmer's mkt) are my occasional summer season bikes. A 70's Trek 1x5 with fenders (for rain) and a Peugeot with Vitus 980 tubing (short fast clear winter days of pass hunting) are my occasional winter bikes.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the SS the most, but it's just not appropriate for all conditions.(hills, loading) I suppose I could combine missions and reduce if I really had to, but it's convenient to have them all set up for their tasks and to-hand.
I have three a Gazelle step thru with an electric 250 watt kit on, which I use all the year, a Dahon folder for when using public transport. Finally gathering dust in the garage a road bike I have had for 35 years and have not used for 15 but can't seem to bring my self to sell.
ReplyDeleteI only have two which are in good condition. The third is an old clunker which I keep for sentimental reasons. I have a Surly Pacer to commute and do sightseeing rides around the city. And my Scott Spark mountain bike to thrash around trails in. I love both equally and I have panic attacks sometimes when one's is at home about people breaking in the house and stealing one of them. I'd love to get an upright bike to add to the collection to cruise around in and do shopping or picnic rides.
ReplyDeleteI am mostly riding my Hewitt Audax bike. I was mainly riding my il Pompino fixie for commuting but it needs some attention. I've recently stripped down my Ribble to use as a fast road bike, probably go out on that today. Then we also have the tandem which gets about 1000 miles per year. Then there is also the Orange P7 mtb and the Marin full suspension, neither of which have seen much use this year. The current project is to turn my old Claud Butler mtb into a tourer, but can't afford the parts at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI have 4 bikes, but ride one most often. That is because most of my riding happens on my long-ish commute and this one bike is always ready to handle rain, darkness and as the ability to carry my weighty load of things to work. And it's very comfortable. It's my trusty and regularly mentioned (no, I am not a shill for GP) Sam Hillborne. I also occassionally use an old Schwinn if I need to park somewhere that's not so safe and my fixed gear. The fixed gear can't easily accomodate fenders and can't carry much, but it's a joy to ride and look at on the few nice summer and fall days we have in Portland.
ReplyDeleteI only have one bike in use so that settles it for me. I do own another bike, my bike from when I was a child which I am getting new tyres for, and once it is roadworthy again, I may start using it, I certainly hope so. As I only cycle for transportation, I don't see me really needing other bikes. I also find that storing them is a problem, I don't want bikes cluttering up the house and I don't have a garage. I gave away the racing bike I used to have once I got my current bike as its narrow tyres and bent over position are not so practical for transportation.
ReplyDeleteVicki
I used to ride the fixed gear 365 days a year, then i got a three speed for cargo use. Then a road bike for long rides, yet i did my century fixed. Then i got a mountian bike for the winter. Now i just have a three speed for everything, sold the rest when i moved into a tny apartment.
ReplyDeleteI have 2, soon to be 3. The Surly LHT gets used 99% of the time, my new (old) Dahon folder gets used for runs into town occasionally and a night/ice bike is under construction (waiting for Peter White wheelsets *yay* and a couple other parts). It's as much a resource issue as anything else for me; if I could afford it I'd have more choices, though I suspect I'd still ride 1 favorite most of the time.
ReplyDeleteI ride my mixte for all utilitarian riding, my Riv Hunqapillar for most trips over 25 miles and my Trek roadie for club rides and a plain old adrenaline rush. In winter, I'll ride m my Jamis commuter exclusively.
ReplyDeleteI'm agonsing about this at the moment actually, because when my Aerospace Sport restoration is finished, I'll have two bikes with essentially identical frames and wheels, but one will be 5 speed and the other will be 10 speed. Can I justify keeping two so similar? Will I ride both equally or will there be a favourite? One will have swept touring bars and the other will have flipped Nitto Doves for a more aggressive riding position but otherwise, same bike. Think Sports Coupe x 2.
ReplyDeleteApart from those I have an early 90s Gary Fisher which I plan to make into a 650b/cyclocross/MTB hybrid. This sturdy bike will be my off-roader/tourer and will also tow the trailer bike with my daughter on board. Think Subaru Station wagon.
Then there's the Raleigh Stow-Away 22 inch folder which is the shopping bike. Think Smart car.
With a family of four and a total of 12 bikes between us, space is getting tight! b
Right now I have kidney stone like pain, so bikes are right out. When I do need to go anywhere, I've been sticking to my mixte dressed up as a city bike for comfort. I'm afraid my roadbike hasn't been touched in three weeks and probably has a spider web on it by now. :(
ReplyDeleteI have three bikes: a classic old Miyata touring bike, a womens' style Ross mountain bike with fat tires, and a Trek mountain bike set up with narrower tires. I mostly ride two at a time. Currently it is the Ross for around town errands, and the Miyata for faster commuting to my job.
ReplyDeleteI have 5 but really only ride two and occasionally a third. I have an old hard-tail MTB that is my "do every thing" bike. Fenders, rack, basket, baby seat, all that. That gets about 75% of my use. I have a road bike that gets another 20% and my even older hard-tail gets the rest of my "normal" time. I also have an old geared Raleigh that I take for a spin from time to time,in fact I think I'll take her out this morning instead of the Trek!
ReplyDeleteI own five, all stepovers of one kind or another - the sportiest feeling is my Brompton (most aggressive position, etc), but none are roadbikes. I tend to go in phases when either two or three are in rotation, depending on whether I'm mostly doing purely transportation rides, how long those are, how much stuff I'm carrrying, etc. The Abici has been neglected for a while because I haven't been doing bike trails (lost the habit when they were flooded for ages); that single-speed coaster-brake bike is entirely frivolous - haven't yet started using it for transportation. The Pashley was neglected for a while because its 1st gear doesn't work well (I'm the opposite of a mechanic myself and the bike shops round here are kind but not used to 5 speed SA hubs), but I just rediscovered how much I love her, as long as I stick to 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, so I've started using her again and just walking up any really steep hills, which are always very short round here. Rivendell and the Orco Ariel are in constant rotation (Rivendell for country rides, Ariel for town), but when the snow comes the Rivendell will hibernate.
ReplyDeleteI don't use the feeble bus system round here and don't drive, so I depend entirely on feet, bikes, taxis and friends with cars, and I *love* having five bikes - both for practical reasons and because the subtle and not so subtle differences are so much fun - a constant process of discovery, with an extra boost every so often when returning to one that's been neglected, as I just did with the Pashley. I'm very grateful to "Lovely Bicycle", because I don't think I would have considered ending up with five bikes otherwise.
I ride exclusively for sports/fitness, with a side focus on seeing the sights. I won't call it touring because I typically ride 15-30 miles and "touring" always seems like a longer range endeavour.
ReplyDeleteI have a "relaxed" geometry carbon road bike (Specialized Roubaix), a more aggressive Ti road bike (Motobecane LeChamp), and a steel single speed track/road bike (Windsor Clockwork).
Ideally I'd ride one geared bike and throw in the single speed periodically for shorter runs, training (hills!), or flat terrain such as typically found in the beach communities my family visits during the summer. I'm basically doing that, but I am still testing the carbon and Ti bikes against each other to see what I prefer. I also have a little lust for a vintage road racer from Italy or France. But my wife might read me the riot act if I try to shove a 4th bike into our small garage...
My rotation changes a bit, but here's the general pattern of use for my current collection:
ReplyDelete- 1972 Jeunet, porteur conversion: everyday commuter with big front rack and saddlebag. This is the bike I grab to go to work or to run errands around town. This bike sees about 95% of the total number of bike trips I make, and is used almost every day. But the trips with this bike are also the shortest-- they rarely exceed 5 miles at a time.
- 1984 Shogun 650B: trail bike, dirt road bike. A little
- 1988 Trek 560: fast road bike. I take this on spirited rides of anywhere from 15-75 miles. Most recently, I've been using it for weekly hill training rides. Easily the fastest bike in my collection and very comfortable. But it is strictly a road bike and can't be used to carry much luggage.
- 1978 Raleigh Competition GS: fast road bike. Lots of overlap with the Trek in terms of purpose, but also lots of overlap with my toe clips, so this one is being reconsidered... may leave the stable, or may become the subject of a creative reconfiguration? 650B?
- 1988 Schwinn Voyageur: touring/camping bike. Newest bike in the collection, and it will probably be used for S2Os and other camping trips.
- 2003 Bike Friday Tandem: family bike. I ride my daughter to school on this during the school year.
- 1951 Raleigh DL1 3-speed with rod brakes. Parade/tweed ride bike. Supremely comfortable but simply not practical as an everyday bike given my needs. Last time ridden was last summer.
Three for me. I have a road bike (a carbon racer), a mountain bike (dual suspension cross country race bike), and a steel single speed that I use for transportation. I would like to own more, but honestly I think 3 is about the practical limit for me... and I think my wife would probably kill me. When we met, I had 5 (a single speed mountain bike and a cyclocross bike), and for some I could see that being OK, but I definitely felt that 5 was more than I could really use. I'm against bicycle neglect, so I had to find a couple of my bikes a good home where they would be used and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have two bikes -- a Retrovelo Paula and a replaceable modern mixte. I make my decision almost entirely based on where I'll be locking up and at what time. When I do quick errands I take the Retrovelo. When I ride my son to school, Retrovelo, but when I go out at night in or need to leave the bike for a while in Manhattan, I take the mixte.
ReplyDeleteI've come to the conclusion that I/we need one more bike -- a plain black and extremely modest used, old Dutch bike that could do all the work of the Retrovelo whilst attracting less attention.
Right now with it being the dog days of summer I have been riding my Raleigh road bike, due to it being far lighter than my other main bike, a Globe Haul. The carbon fork and excellent gearing mated with the drop bars makes it extremely nice to get around with compared to my upright Globe.
ReplyDeleteI use the Haul for grocery runs right now as the store is only .5 miles from my house.
I doubt I'll be using the Raleigh this winter as much, but not because of snow (I live in the south,) more for the ability to pile on the layers and stay comfortable. I doubt the agressive posture of my road bike will be conducive to large jackets and layers ;)
I've got two that are rideable (Jamis Commuter and Van Dessel Country Road Bob) and one in the works (Ross Professional that I'm trying to restore without spending any money).
ReplyDeleteRight now, a second bike is mostly an insurance policy, if one breaks down and I still need to get somewhere. When I used to have time and money for leisure riding I usually had one bike set up for pavement and one for off-road.
I rode my Madone for a year or two (yeah, nice bike but not an ideal first bike - wasn't my choosing) before getting my commuter cross-check. The madone stood neglected for 2 or 3 years after that. So I think of myself as a one-bike guy.
ReplyDeleteBut just in the last month or so I've started riding the madone again for early morning workout rides, and I'll admit it has some advantages for that purpose!
Somehow, two bikes feels like a lot more maintenance than one. I realize that dividing the mileage between bikes should make it a wash, but nevertheless I find myself doing a lot more tinkering.
I keep a 3spd downtown at the office, which is perhaps my favorite bike and the one that gets ridden the least :-( At home I have three other bikes I ride about equally: a sport tourer for path and road, an early 90's MTB/hybrid for path and firetrails, and an early 80's MTB (being converted to an upright city bike) for towing my son's trail a bike. I have a slight interest in trying a sportier road bike or single speed, but I don't get enough time on the bikes I have now, so I'm in no hurry to get another.
ReplyDeleteI really only ride for transportational purposes, so I just have the one bike, the DL-1 :) I have to say, I'm pretty glad about it, as if I had to pick one bicycle, that DL-1, outfitted the way we have it now, is pretty much exactly what I would pick. I do sometimes ride my wife's WorkCycles as well, so I guess technically I ride two bikes :)
ReplyDeleteI got back into cycling via English 3 speeds but have gradually transitioned generally to road bikes, albeit steel luggers whether multi-speed or single (no fixies for me thanks). I would say 3 or 4 bikes are in my working stable at a time. The actual riding is 75% serious road, 15% single and 10% old Raleigh 3s and my pet Guv'nor.
ReplyDeleteI've got two bkes, a surly big dummy that I ride 90% of the time since most of my rides are hauling a toddler on errands and a salsa vaya for everything else. I have thoughts of getting an 80's mtb for winter and locking up at the train but I so rarely ride without a child in tow it's probably not worth it.
ReplyDeleteI have a fast, an old, a rugged and a big. Right now I'm over all of them. That'll change.
ReplyDeleteIn fact as we speak, I am driving the car typing away. Dude watch out!
As a result, I request people keep their comments short.
Only one just as almost everyone in here.
ReplyDeleteIn urban cycling people here only ride junkers and clunkers. The culture of investing in quality bikes is waaaaay too foreign and is only common in sports cycling where, on the opposite, people invest loads of money.
The city is configured and organised in such a way (stairs, rentals)that most people leave their bikes outtside. Between thieves and the winter...
Sports folks have biggers places, are homeowners, so they can protect their bikes and they will have several of them.
My main ride is a slightly too small 1999 Gary Fisher hardtail MTB with slick tires and a Carridace saddlebag. I also have a folder for multi-modal and travel.
ReplyDeleteAll this changes in 2 weeks when Bikeman finishes building the used Sam Hillborne frameset I sent them.
Joy
I used to have a whole fleet of bikes, but soon realized that that requires too much maintenance. So now I have two: a Ti brevet bike, and a Ti/Rohloff commuter. Both are high end, and accordingly, low maintenance. In the end, I've found it more satisfying to have a couple of really superb (and versatile) bikes than to have all sorts of more specialized bikes.
ReplyDeleteMy stable is very small and very purpose dedicated.
ReplyDeleteMy Worksman PAV 3 speed trike is my "pickup truck" for larger loads and s-l-o-w rides when I just want to toodle.
Next is my Schwinn "World Tourist" city bike that was my main bicycle until I put it in semi retirement. This bike has the delightful "shimano front freewheel" system that allows shifting with no pedaling unlike most derailleur systems.
Then there is my fun bike....a Bridgestone Japanese city bike that is a mixte. This model was never sold in the U.S.. I got it from a serviceman who brought it back from Japan. The quality of this bike is amazing!!
Finally, a 2010 ,built to my order, Worksman Cruiser pimped out all the way! :^))
I ride ONE bike at a time. It's all I can store, so I have to get rid of a bike before I get another, and then customize it to my tastes/needs. So it's my load carrying/transport/commute/fun/mountain bike. I can only ride one at a time anyway, so why confuse the issue?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they will come out with transformer bikes, soon? So you could ride a road bike to the market, convert it to a load carrying bike to ride home, that sort of thing.
Funny how you/I/we might aim for 1 perfect bike but end up with many. They are charismatic.
ReplyDeleteI pin it at 3. The Boulder 700c is does most of everything, but I like it so much that I recently picked up a 650b Boulder for rougher stuff. Goodbye MTB! There's also a IGH commuter for the nastier parts of the year.
Veloria, I have to ask...if you had to have 1 bike, what would you pick?
I only own one, so only ride one. It's a very unsexy Raleigh hybrid, but it does everything I need: transportation, light touring (20-30 miles), cargo. I plan to start taking it on rails to trails soon. Sometimes I think about getting a dedicated mountain bike because that's an area of cycling I want to explore, but I think I'd have some difficulty storing it, since we rent and my husband has a "no bikes in the house" rule. Heh, that makes him sound mean... it's not really a "rule," just a feeling that things that are used outside shouldn't be brought inside. Which I agree with, actually. The apartment's too small without bringing bikes into the equation.
ReplyDeleteJust sold my mountain bike, so I have three bikes left that I ride: a 1983 Univega Gran Turismo set up as something of a city bike, a recently-acquired (used) Rivendell Atlantis, and an ICE Adventure recumbent trike. The Riv sees the most use, and I suspect that it's going to replace the Univega as my commuter as well as my have-fun bike. (My commute is only a mile or two, and I only ride when the weather is decent, so I'm not sure it even counts.) I take the trike when I want a somewhat more relaxing experience. It's like riding a Barcalounger down the road. Great for taking in the scenery. Because of the reduced wind resistance, it's actually faster than my other bikes on downhills, and about as fast on flats. On uphills? Well, let's just say it'll get me there, but not in record time.
ReplyDeleteJust two, my 3 speed mixte everyday transportation bike and another 3 speed market bike. I would like to add a road / light touring bike to the stable though.
ReplyDeleteI have 2 bikes, a mixte/touringish/roadish bike and a DL-1. I live in a really small apartment so I don't think I could fit anymore bikes. My mixte already takes up my entire closet, and the DL-1 sits in front of the fireplace as a weird piece of interior decor.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm currently fighting gallantly against the urge to liquidate both of my bikes to purchase a used Gazelle T8 which I had the chance to test ride today and LOVE. :) It has all of what I love about my DL-1 without the limitations of the rod brakes and the addition of extra gears.
Ugh, decisions!
I have my 'cross bike and a 29er, both single speeds. I commute on either: cross for direct commutes, and the mtn. bike for when I take detours into the San Gabriels or Verdugos.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a half-owner of a tandem that the Mrs. and I are about to take to the theater right now...
-Matt
Woot! Another Bridgestone owner! I have a Pre-Grant Peterson Bridgestone mixte and I agree.. awesome quality. She's my favorite ride! I see them on marktplaats.nl all the time for under 100 euros complete with Dynex brakes. No one appreciates them anymore because the Dynex brakes weigh a ton and you can't get replacement pads.
ReplyDelete1992 hand made Assenmacher road bike, 1949 Schwinn Black Phantom, 1968 Schwinn Sting Ray Deluxe 2-speed and a brand new Ant Truss 3-speed (on its way!) I ride all of them depending on my mood. My Assenmacher is the favorite of the local bike club also.
ReplyDeleteMy main jack-of-all-trades bike, a fairly upright LHT, was destroyed along with my car in an accidents about a month ago. The rest of the stable consists of a couple projects, a couple of framesets and piles of components that need to be either sold or donated, and a couple of old (1997ish and 1988) mountain bikes. The 88 Miyata is slated to be re-purposed and gussied up, as the LHT replacement. The kona will probably forever be my trailbike, but I'm toying with using the LHT's wheels (they were salvageable) on the kona and buying a Supernova off-road light, just for S&G.
ReplyDeleteGotta finish my fuji roadbike-turned-townie project, build some wheels for my worksman, and possibly get a cycletruck used for groceries and laundromat use. I also have a Hero JetGold roadster (Indian-made DL-1 knock-off) that weights about 5000lbs. Most of my rides are divided between the Hero and the Miyata these days, depending on the weather. (No fenders on the Miyata yet.) The LHT used to see 90%-plus of my on-road rides. So, if you're counting, that'd be 5 bikes, plus a possible cycletruck. Of course, once I finish my worksman, I won't need the Hero, but my wife loves it and it'll prolly become her beater-bike. I've always wanted to keep it to <5 bikes, but I have one more fiendish scheme....
I'm saving up to buy something custom and insane, a regular vanity-bike befitting a curmudgeonly fat guy. Any suggestions? (I have some ideas, but they change so rapidly!)
The downside of having a garage? I can store bikes. Right now, I have four modern bikes and four vintage ones. The moderns: a Gazelle Toer Populair (commuting), a Gazelle Miss Grace (quick market trips/fun), a Merlin -- titanium -- racing bike, and a Sam Hillborne for longer rides (set up with albatross bars). The vintage: a Raleigh Sprite, a Raleigh Super Course, a Raleigh Sports, and a Schwinn Suburban. It's ridiculous, I know, but I will be downsizing very soon. Gun to my head, I would keep three -- the Hillborne, the Toer Populair, and the Merlin. If I could only have one? Definitely the Hillborne. Love, love, love that bike!
ReplyDeleteThere are many bikes I'd like to have, but all would potentially be a bit different. I would very much like a lovely fast road bike before the summer ends and it's back to miserable rain.
ReplyDeleteI ride my surly lht most of the time, but my raleigh 5 speed on shorter tripsin the summer/spring/fall. But, since I have had such trouble with the surly and the tires keep going flat, I have been riding the raleigh almost exclusively and it is getting a bit hard on the legs with lack of gears for hills. Nor does it have racks and I haven't found a cheap/second hand nice saddle bag, so am always lugging stuff in bags on the handlebars and on my back which I am not supposed to do. Oh it needs a basket but I didn't want a basket on it...
I have a gitane mixte that is sort of fixed up and mechanically a bit questionable, but needs a saddle so have not ridden it. It's supposed to be a bike to take into the city, but that rarely happens and I hope to turn it into a winter bike with internal hubs and drum brakes, and racks so I can use it as my main transportation ride year round.
I have a trek 420 frame that will replace the surly if it ever gets built. The frame is a bit too large with 700 wheels so do a 650B conversion so I can have a rando/touring bike with the mythical 650B thing going on.
I have 2 bikes that I will sell. A mountain bike from the mountain bike is fine for road commuting days and a hideous modern BSO bought under duress because it was too ridiculous commuting on a mountain bike with shocks. Both have been kept for visiting family, but I gotta cut down on the bikes and make room for future bikes.
My husband has 3 bikes at the moment, but only every has one ridable bike on the go. One bike is old and worn out so he's just deciding what to do with it and another bike is a summer/good weather only road bike.
Here is a quote from a Rivendell Reader re. the proper number of bikes:
ReplyDelete"How many bikes?
Seven is good. A beater, a bomber, a single-speed,
a touring bike, a lightish road bike, a do-all
racked and bagged bike, a mixte, a loaner, and
a work in progress. Seven? Make it nine."
What's to argue with?
Two bikes total. One is the $300 LBS window special that got me back cycling but it's on the shelf now. Bought a cyclocross bike as my main one now and it's what I'm riding now. Don't really have room for a third but it would be a pure road bike if I could swing it.
ReplyDeleteI've got 2 that I use everyday, but technically 5 bikes all together. The Pashley for commuting to my morning job and trips to the grocery store OR out to the barn if the weather is nasty. The Fuji mixte for commuting to the barn and any fun trips that require transporting a bicycle by car (since the Pashley really doesn't play well with car racks). Then there's the Hercules which has been retired but I can't seem to part with, the Kettler mixte, which needs to be overhauled so it's on "holiday" and a Ross 3speed that is in pieces and I really out to CL.
ReplyDeleteI had one bike for years, an electra cruiser that I love. Then I added a Trek Fx 7.3 for longer bike tours, and a Pashley - me dream bike. Recently I was given a Schwinn, and now I am toying with the idea of selling one of the other bikes, because it seems excessive to me to have four (and I am only speaking for myself here).
ReplyDeleteOnly two 'cause there are 3 non-rolling projects.
ReplyDelete1. Heavily modified Indian DL-1 clone. Has fixed, is used for everything, even sometimes as winter trainer.
2. 1963 Rickert. Good for everything. A real racing bike with 44cm chainstays and fender eyelets. 71 x 74 with 50mm rake, room for Jack Brown & GrifoXS. Unstoppable. Will not become a project bike. Every part that has age & class that might break someday is also something with cheap available & good substitutes & workarounds. Carries saddlebag unnoticed. Many days feels faster than those modern project bikes.
Not ridden but in running order: 1958 Schwinn Spitfire, twenty-inch wheel. Seventh birthday bike. Used by generations of kids, fleets of neighbor's kids. Rescued from dumpster twice. Mostly original.
Parks by fireplace.
I've got 6 bikes:
ReplyDelete2005 Specialized Roubaix carbon-fiber road bike
1992 Trek 7000 non-suspension mountain bike
1981 Raleigh Super Record lugged-steel road bike
1973 Raleigh Sports
1970s Raleigh DL-1 Tourist
1960s Columbia Twosome tandem
The Trek is the one that’s used the most -- I’ve got it set-up for shopping, commuting, and about-town riding. For road cycling, it’s either the Super Record or the Roubaix. I’ve been working on the DL-1 this year, so it hasn’t been out much lately, but that’s been used mainly for cycling to dinner, coffee, etc., in town, or for just pootling about. The Sports has been in pieces – the much-needed restoration is constantly being pushed back due to other projects and maintenance. Speaking of maintenance, that’s one drawback of owning more than a few bikes.
I'm surprised to hear you say the fewer the better!
ReplyDeleteOf my three bikes, I ride them all equally depending on my mood. Except for the long winter months, when I almost exclusively ride my Dutch bike with studded tires. If I got into road cycling or mountain biking, I'd definitely have to get more bikes. But for now the top of my need/want list are a cargo bike and a folding bike. :)
I ride a folding bike for working everyday.
ReplyDeleteTwo.
ReplyDeleteA functional, fendered commuting/rain bike that I can ride any day of the year (1983 Raleigh Grand Prix). It's equipped with U-lock, lights, bell, sprung leather saddle, saddle bag, and wider 27 x 1 1/4 " tires, and is understated enough that I can lock it up places without worrying.
A lighter road bike that is fancier, prancier, and more enjoyable on fast training rides and climbs (1988 Bianchi Super Leggera). I prefer riding this one when I can. However, having two bikes makes it possible to keep riding even if the weather is bad, and to still get back and forth to work even if one of the bikes is out of commission.
Two formulas for the correct number of bikes:
ReplyDeleteN+1, where N is the number you currently own;
S-1 where S is the number that would get you divorced.
So interesting to hear about everyone's collection. Somehow, I have five.
ReplyDelete60s Sears Puch 3-speed
60s Fleet Wing Cruiser
70s Motobecane Riviera Folder
80s Raleigh Wisp Mixte
08 Giant Transend
Technically, the only ones that are fully operational at the moment are the Fleet Wing and the Giant. While the Fleet Wing is not practical, it is lovely. The Giant is supposed to be practical (and is the bike that got me back into cycling), but having ridden 50 year old bikes that are easier to ride, I realize that is not long for life in my garage. I just have to get everybody else fixed up.
Oh, I have too many. Being short, I'm always on the lookout, but I think I'm at the point of thinning the herd. All roll on either 26" or 650c & are 46-49cm.
ReplyDelete1. 2001 Riv All Rounder (my do everything)
2. 1999 Bianchi Eros(road)
3. 1997 Yakota Yosemite (mtn w/suspension stem)
4. 90's Trek 8700 (single speed mtn - my only non-steel bike; aluminum & carbon fiber)
5. 90's Bridgestone XO-1 (road for when I want something different)
Plus a few frames waiting for a build
1. Colnago
2. 2nd Bianchi Eros (for a fixed gear)
3. Univega
All are lugged steel, except for the 8700. What I ride depends on my mood & where I'm riding. But most will go most anywhere. Only limit is the narrow road tires on the Bianchi.
Hey, it's cheaper than collecting cars. Healthier, too
Maryk
Philly, PA
"I'm surprised to hear you say the fewer the better!"
ReplyDeleteI can see why you'd think that : )
But I am experimenting with many in hopes of ending up with a few. Maybe 5... Wait, that's still many!
I have seven bikes I use as of now. I do constantly rotate between them all, but it really does depend on what I am doing. If I am in a rush or biking to some place several miles away, I take my Univega Gran Premio or my unknown Columbus tubing frame with campy/shimano 600 components and wheelset and STI shifters. If I am in a lazy mood or want to run over everything, I ride my Cannondale aluminium, or Peugeot oriental express with Scott handlebars or my claimed-to-be cyclocross bike. I'm giving away my fixed gear and motobecane.
ReplyDeleteThe one I ride the most (school, train +pubrunning): 2001 Fuji Cross. Unassuming, fast enough & multitalented. The uglier it's gets, the more useful it becomes. Parrot colors...
ReplyDeleteWeekend Trips: 1991 Bridgestone RBT or XO2, set up as a light touring.
Weekend club rides: 1st gen carbon roadshark, psychodelic paintjob & "obsolete" lugs.
Mud toy: Jamis Dragon.
Useless, enjoyable, anachronistic toys: Peugeot PX10, Raleigh International & Pinarello CX.
I wish I had: minus 2 road bikes,+ 1 french porteur.
For me 3 has been the happy Zen, 5 a good place, 7 was enjoyable excess but more becomes a bit chaotic...
PD: I wished I had a good folding bike for plane/train traveling or city commuting. It would replace my commuter in my minimum 3.
ReplyDelete