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Permalink Reply by Richard on April 18, 2011 at 11:53

Ah, the perenial question of n+1, where n=number of bikes you have now - it's a nice way of saying we always want one more.

 

But you're right, you can only ride one at a time.

 

In my case, the Hillbrick is my daily ride.

This left the Europa with no role in life (she was the daily until the Hillbrick arrived) so I fitted her with fat tyres and mudguards so she is now my wet weather ride.

Those are both fixed gear.

The Jamis, my geared bike, hasn't been ridden since last july and desperately needs a wash and service so that if I ever decide to ride geared again, I actually can.

Then there's the polo bike which gets use for ... wait for it ... bike polo.

Out in the shed are a couple more bikes which should be sold though my tourer could be converted into a single speed shopping bike I suppose (the multi ring cranset for it is currently in my polo bike) and there's a real bottom end frame I have that's surprisingly light and sweet which would make nice beater for riding to somewhere where you have to leave the bike in a not real safe place.

 

Basically, just create a use for each bike. Sure, you can have one bike to do it all, and that's what I have with the Hillbrick, but that then allows you to turn the other bikes into specialists - sports bike, shopping bike, wet weather bike, commuter, mtb, etc.

 

Tubes - they're easy to repair and cheap to throw out and replace. I do both, depending on how rich or guilty I feel. In my experience, repaired tubes last just as well as new tubes, but it is a lot easier to just put in a new tube and toss the old one, not as environmentally sastifactory though.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on April 18, 2011 at 13:03

Hi,

Everyone who cycles needs 3 bikes (a) racer for fun rides (b) common bike for going to the shops where you dont want to take your racer in case someone steals it (c) mountain bike for off road and carrying things.

 

Punctured tubes - patch the punctures, check, carry as spares. 

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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on April 18, 2011 at 13:16

You definately need at least 2 bikes Asami, your second one could be multi purpose e.g. for shopping, social outings, social rides that are off road such as the one coming up on Easter Sunday, going to the beach etc.

If you have a third bike why not get it serviced and encourage a non cycling friend to go on a social ride with you, then get them to join AC, it will make you feel good when you see the smile on their face.

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