What do you think is the truly appropriate number of bikes to own?

[BigWickerJim]

Here's what i'm hoping for some day. I already have the bikes in brackets.

1) FS trail bike
2) 29er adventure bike (Surly Ogre is on order)
3) Folder bike for travel/touring (Bike Friday NWT)
4) CX bike for gravel and road (Kona Jake)
5) Commuter bike (Currently building an On-One Pompetamine)
6) Fat bike for winter

[wasfast]

I think any more than 2 is a luxury. I own 3 at the moment and would really like to get a fourth, but a mountain bike and a cyclocross bike would fill all my needs if I could only have 2.

[tjkm]

1. 29er FS
2. Single Speed Rigid 29er
3. Pimped out roadie

I currently have none of the above.

[the old fool]

ONE

Having reached old age and looking back at all the **** I have bought over the years I feel that for me ONE really good bike is all you NEED

I have a beat up old FSR

[toscano]

In my opinion the appropriate number is 3 or more.
- a road bike or a cx bike
-off road you need a mtb, ht or full
-in towns, cities you need a bike for that
about the "more" it depends on specific needs like a long trip, you like bike parks etc.

[dwnhlldav]

1 cross bike set up for road, or a road bike, but I like cross bikes better.
1 cross bike with fenders for wet rides and rail trails.
1 bike for riding around the neighborhood with the family and pulling the kiddo trailer.
1 commuter bike (the foul weather cross bike would be okay, but I'd like to keep the rack and paniers off that bike)
1 bar bike (it's gotta have more style than the commuter or kid cart puller)
1 rigid single speed
1 hard tail trail bike
1 FS trail bike
1 dirt jump bike
1 6" travel fs bike
If I lived somewhere with lift served riding I'd also need a dh bike.
If either of my kids get into BMX, I'll also need a 24" cruiser so I can ride with them.

So, 10 to 12.

[longhaultrucker]

1 cross bike set up for road, or a road bike, but I like cross bikes better.
1 cross bike with fenders for wet rides and rail trails.
1 bike for riding around the neighborhood with the family and pulling the kiddo trailer.
1 commuter bike (the foul weather cross bike would be okay, but I'd like to keep the rack and paniers off that bike)
1 bar bike (it's gotta have more style than the commuter or kid cart puller)
1 rigid single speed
1 hard tail trail bike
1 FS trail bike
1 dirt jump bike
1 6" travel fs bike
If I lived somewhere with lift served riding I'd also need a dh bike.
If either of my kids get into BMX, I'll also need a 24" cruiser so I can ride with them.

So, 10 to 12.

Good list But as always....+1

[1 cog frog]

We had this discussion yesterday, after I bought a used FS 29er frame on eBay, and her response was 2. There are 2 types of surfaces to ride on, trail, and road, therefore I need 1 bike for each. When she asked how many I have I said 4 (that is how many are assembled and functional).

That was the wrong answer! Alas, she may never understand my addiction!

frog

[reedfe]

For me it's 3. A commuter/beater/road bike, a 29er trail hardtail, and hopefully somewhere down the line, a short travel full suspension trail 29er. That'd cover me!

[jhazard]

Have:
1 HT 29er (gifted the other to a friend in need)
1 DJ
1 AM 26er
2 dh rigs (technically, one is for wife)

Would like to add:

1 FS 29er all mountain style thing
1 7"-ish light dh/"park bike"

So, 7 in my case I see seven as appropriate. Less would be inappropriate, more WILL be luxury...

sorry, I strayed fom the OP a bit, caught up in the contagion...

"Forget how many you want or how many you own. From a purely logical and reasonable standpoint, given how much you ride and how many different types of riding you do - how many do you think you should own?"

I don't think there is a measurement of "appropriate". I'm a cyclist, I like and enjoy cycling in many forms. There is no appropriate number. Right now, 7 makes me happy. However, I could also be content with just one. I just happen to be in a place at the moment where multiple bikes does not put a strain on my life.

[50calray]

If I would have answered this question a couple months ago I probably would have said one. A single good mtb would have been more than enough for me for offroading an misc commuting. Now after a few hundred miles under my belt and a weekly riding routine, I think 3 bikes about fits my needs...I'm sure this will change to include more down the road.

2 -MTB ( one serves as a spare in case I break something or a friend wants to ride)
1-Trail bike for commuting & errands (something light with bag packs)

[mattbryant2]

One bike, many tires.

[highdelll]

One bike, many tires.

even better; One Bike - Many WHEELS

It's SOOOO nice to change out tread in seconds and not minutes - toolless

[Mazukea]

^^agreed. I'm happy I have a complete wheelset that I can just change in seconds.

I think you should own as much bikes as you like. There is no perfect amount, just make sure you use them all.

[highdelll]

oh, and pedals!
yeah you need a tool, but it's still seconds

cat:mouse - like 3-lap velodrome

[stubecontinued]

I have three right now; a commuter/tourer, a road/cx, and SS AL mountain bike built for lightness. I'd like another MTB, steel, and built up a little burlier for the downhills. I feel like three is enough though (don't tell my girlfriend that though...)

[Glenrexellyn]

I've decided to stop selling old bikes, I always end up missing them.
Current collection includes:
'98 Gunnar Rockhound- full rigid setup, I love this frame!
'99 Bianchi BUSS- brown ugly single speed, everyone needs a single speed
'07 Gunnar Sport- setup as a pure road bike
'08 Serotta GP- setup as a gravel path / touring bike
'11 Salsa Mukluk- fat bike
'11 Surly Troll- setup for dirt roads and commuting, built from the parts bin
'10 Focus Black Forest Expert- my single track rig
'12 Felt New Belgium Cruiser- just for fun!

I'm certain my perfect number will keep growing, good reasons for new bikes are easy to find! A Niner EMD sound pretty tempting.

[CycleAddict]

It varies for me but I think my ideal set up would be:

29er HT Trail bike.
Cyclocross/gravel/road bike
26" Jump/Fun bike
And maybe a fixed/SSer in the mix

Right now I have a 29er HT, Rigid 29er SS, and 2 road bikes.

[luthermc315]

As many as you can afford. It never hurts to have extras in the event of some major damage and/or having rides for friends

[Dougr]

3, Specialized Stumpy M4 hardtail (updated brakes to juicy's), Specialized Tri-Cross Sport (use this for road and cross by switching out tires), Diamond Back Ascent converted to a SS for cruising town, gravel paths and rolling single track.
I also have a pretty ancient Trek road bike that I may convert to a SS cross bike.

[TitanofChaos]

This....

[woahey]

I have 4 bikes and Santa will be bringing a 5th but 3 is the magic number for me.
-6" FS AM
-Hard tail XC
-Vintage townie

[Patrick1677]

3 is a gr8 number for me 2 road bikes with one a commuter and one for racing and some sort of off road bike.

[LostBoyScout]

It's interesting to see all the different priorities that come to light here. Some people want lots of road bikes and don't care much about mountain bikes, others are just the opposite, others still want all kinds of 'niche' bikes, others still want a bunch of variations of the same sort of bike.

[Chilly H2O]

For me, the perfect amount of bikes is 3. One to shred, one for utility/ winter riding, and one for transportation/ roadie/commuting. With that being said, i have one more than the perfect #, but cant bring myself to get rid of trials bike even though it gets little use. My stable currently consists of
29 Full suspension (shred)
26 HT Singlespeed (utility)
Road bike (transport/train)
20 Trials bike (fun)

Looking to get rid of my Singlespeed and get a fat bike, then it will be the perfect stable. Anyone want to buy a bianchi s.a.s.s...lol.