How Many Bikes Should A Cyclist Own?

[Leadlegs]

It started innocently enough, just a simple bike to ride to work and back. After years of service it was time to retire old faithful and replace it with something better. Circumstances changed and I no longer rode to work but continued to ride for leisure, pleasure and fitness. Before I knew it, it was time to change my bike once more. Again it was an opportunity to upgrade.

Everything seemed normal at this point. Life was simple and it was a case of one in – one out.

After a couple of harsh winters my bike started to look and feel a bit rough. Time for a new bike thinks me. I treated myself to a nice made-to-measure machine. Of course, this was too good to ride when the weather was bad so I kept the old one for winter use. Unfortunately neither of these were any good for riding off-road. Yep, a mountain bike was added to my collection.

Mrs. Leadlegs fancied riding around our beautiful countryside, but neither of us wanted to be the classic couple out for a ride, (man way out in front enjoying himself, woman grinding along behind trying to keep up while looking far from happy). It was her suggestion, (honestly) and after a trial run on a hired bike in the Lake District a tandem joined the fold.

My most recent purchase is a carbon fibre wonder. Time to shuffle my bikes down the ranks and let the old winter bike go thought I. But wait a minute; who cares if the brakes are garbage, the frame rusting and the wheels look far from pretty if it was on a turbo trainer? So that’s what I did.

Slowly more and more garage space is being allocated to my bikes. Is there any end to this, I don’t know, maybe I need therapy.

How many bikes should a cyclist own?

[PaulB]

17

[Dayvo]

As many as necessary; or as per the formula, n + 1 (the number of bikes you already have plus another one).

I have a mountain bike, a hybrid and a winter hack. I would like to have a fixed, a road bike (double, triple, and/or a compact) and a tourer.

Having no fixed abode makes owning things difficult, but I'm working on it.

Basically, if you enjoy different aspects of cycling, then get a bike to suit. It's the same as having the 'right' footwear for playing different sports.

[wafflycat]

n + 1

where n = number of bikes currently owned

[dudi]

if her indoors starts complaining... "it's just the same reason that you have 12 handbags and 42 pairs of shoes"

I've been thinking about getting two new bikes.
I want a new road bike ( but that will actually replace another one which will be given to my brother) and I've been thinking about getting a mountain bike... not sure if i'd use it though.
I'd also like a bike for the turbo trainer.
I'd also like a turbo trainer.

[ComedyPilot]

You need a road bike, a hack/commuter, something a little dirty (mtb), a fixed and a tourer.

I have a road bike and a hack, a fixed is coming in a week or so. Tha leaves a MTB and a tourer to fill the stable.

[derall]

As above, n + 1 is the standard. You need at least one of each. Personally I have one each of Tourer, MTB, Road Bike, Recumbent and Folder. Trying to decide whether the next should be the Fixie or the 'bent Trike. Probably the former for reasoons of space

[Keith Oates]

My +1 at the moment is a SS (maybe fixed) fortunately I haven't seen one here in Vietnam otherwise it would be already in service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rhythm Thief]

You only really need one. A Touring bike. They do anything.
However, I have a tourer and three others, and Ms RT has two tourers. And we're hopeless at cycling; my bikes just gather dust these days and she goes to the shops occasionally on hers.
So, have as many as you want, seems to be the general concensus.

[Mr Phoebus]

Whatever fulfils your hearts desire.