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 say three. One for on-road use that's practical for picking up groceries and getting places, one for off road use - getting to more remote places, enjoying the outdoors in general etc, and one for exactly the type of riding you like best - whatever that is - and this third one would be the less compromise, all-you-can-afford 'dream bike'.
In reality, I have four and would like to be at six. Here are three of them, the fourth lives in the parkade (bar bike).
No matter how practical, diminishing returns takes over at four and your fifth bike could be somebody who's less fortunate only method of transportation or their first enthusiast's bike!
1- Tri bike (if you race tri's, otherwise a cross bike)
2- Pretty nice but not too sick roadie
3- Best damn full-sus trail bike you can afford
4- Hardtail how you like it.... SS, geared, full rigid... Whatever.
I'm in the process of giving bikes away to get down to four. My next giveaway is a tricked out Spesh Sirrus and after that it is going to be really, really tough to let go of a primo 1998 all-OEM Celeste green Bianchi.
... as many as your budget allows, as many as available storage space allows, as many as the significant other allows.
I'm rolling on 4 at the moment, but would like to add some more. I just sold my house, and am living in a temporary apartment until we buy the next house. Space is super limited.
So, I have my FS 29er in the apartment (two feet up the wall above my head, right now), and I'm keeping the rest at work for now.
I have:
29er RacerX29er FS bike
Access 29er hardtail geared bike
Singular Swift 29er SS bike
PlanetX Kaffenback cyclocross/touring/road bike
I would like to add a City Bike back to the mix. I had a Giant Yukon old mountain bike, but ran a rigid fork, racks, and pannier bags for groceries. That was a killer setup. I want to do that again.
I was even thinking cargo longtail bike, maybe with an electric assist. Thinking, to run local errands in a timely fashion, but leave the car at home.
It all depends on the type of riding you do. Or how seriously/competitively you ride.
I have my roadie (2010 Schwinn LeTour Classic) for Century Rides etc...and general road riding. Then I have my around town/commuter Bike (Giant Sedona) for commuting, grocery getting(with trailer attached) and leisurely riding. Then there is my All mountain/trail bike (Giant Rincon) for, well you know what for...
I am adding another mountain bike and it will be different from my hardtail in either wheel size or full suspension/wheel size. I will use both depending on where I ride.
A guy could have several bikes with proper justification for each...:thumbsup:
Just made it to 7 over the weekend.............picked this up for $50 and it's all original, weights a ton and is fun, I've always wanted an old schwinn cruiser......
The right number is the number of bikes that will regularly get used.
I'm doing fine with my 3 bikes: 6" Spesh Enduro AM bike, Jamis (aluminum) road bike, old Jamis 4" full sus.
The Enduro gets 100% of my mtb riding, the Jamis is good for commuting and the occasional road ride, and the older mountain bike is my loaner backup.
I wouldn't mind a DH bike, a light and efficient 29'er, and a nice carbon road bike. But in reality, I'm not out-riding my Enduro the few times each year I hit the ski lifts, and I do an XC type ride only every so often. or do an XC type ride where I might benefit somewhat from a different bike. Same w/ a carbon road bike -- other than commuting, I ride between a few hundred to maybe 1300 "recreation" miles on the road, not really enough to justify a nice road bike.
I really have no interest in riding a SS, a hard tail or something like that. Just not for me. Living in the suburbs as I do, there is little reason for a cruiser or shopping bike -- I have two cars that work just fine! I ride either my old mtb or my road bike when out with the kids -- the trailer attaches to either one just fine.
I would say you need 2..
- 1 XC hard tail, wich does the work as commuter, single speed, and to go buy beer
-1 Enduro class bike, this one is to have fun...
3 is the number, just like motorcycles...
I think a SS MTB in any wheel size cause they are just fun.
A geared MTB either HT or FS 29er.
A CX bike for the road rides and grocery store and cross racing
At least that will be what I have once i finish my HT 29er build.
4 Total. First bike was 26" Fuji Nevada, then sold it and built a Sette Rekken.Sold the Sette and built Vassago Bander and Jabber. Sold the Bander and stuck with Jabber. No regrets though!
I traded 2 road bikes for a 29er, so now
I'm down to 8 bikes. Almost the perfect
number. However I'm in love with the 29er,
so I may need to get another one, and that
would put me back at 9 bikes, I think 9
bikes may be the right number.
Also there isn't a damn thing wrong
with storing bikes upside down. I have
done it longer than I care to remember
and never had a problem.
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
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.
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