N Plus X: how many cycles do you own? Vote now please

[Morzedec]

I always aim to have a balance: the same number of bikes as rich widows.

Both keep me off the streets at night.

Happy days,

[Cyril Haearn]

Morzedec, then you need tandems
One tandem = two singles for counting purposes

[drossall]

I think there is a case for saying that an extra bike allows you to extend your cycling and there is a good case for having one in the workshop, one on the road. But there are bikes out there that are do-it-all and my view is that, despite my nine bikes, one bike is probably the best option.

You probably need to allow for the number of different uses someone has. There are limits, because it certainly was the case, sixty or more years ago, that club riders normally had one bike that did everything. But things have got a bit more specialised and, whilst some cyclists also focus on one kind of riding, some dabble in lots.

So, I think you're allowing that one good bike and maybe one spare that you're happier to leave around at the shops is reasonable. But what if you're into racing? Road and time trial bikes are both quite specialised now. Mountain biking? What if you commute into the city on a rail line that only accepts folders? Or, as some have mentioned, you like to ride fixed, especially in winter?

I do have more than I can really justify, it's true, and I don't even have a time-trial bike, but you can see how numbers creep up, especially if you're really unwilling to let go of that one that was your best bike forty years ago

[merseymouth]

Hi Drossall, Do you agree that trike owner should factor in the extra heels when it comes to numbers?
So if one has 5 trikes that should equate to 7.5 bicycles! MM

[drossall]

I think that, if I had four more trikes, I might have one less wife. And something of a storage issue. I keep bikes in the loft. Even with our wide loft hatch, the trike wouldn't go up there.

Which makes the question a little on the academic side

[merseymouth]

Hi again Drossall, I used to get my tandem-trike up through the small hatch? It required the help of SWMBO!
I did have 5 trikes and 3 bikes to stable, that is until I had a heath scare, so gave loads away to good custodians. Now just 2 trikes. MM

[Elizabeth_S]

2 (and I don't like one of them that much, think I need to play around with it, it's a wee bit too long in the reach department) but 4 of us in house and the others have one each so 5 in total, but I'd like a MT bike as well but can't get one because I decided too late and now can't get one due to lockdown bike sales.

[Lakelander]

Until today I had three but just sold my Carbon bike.
So in the space of 18 months I’m down from five to two.

[gbnz]

I've 3 No..

Would have been 4 No., but I stupidly recycled/binned a relatively new Specialized Tricross frame back in 2016! There was a rationale behind disposing of it; it'd done a huge mileage; excepting the frame evey part fitted to the bike had long since worn out, with all the replaced parts being removed and built onto a Spa Touring frame.

Still, if I'd kept it, it would have made a superb general purpose/winter/scrap bike, using worn out parts as they became available, such as my collection of worn out Sram PC 830 chains

[Cyril Haearn]

Poll is still open
Elliptigoes and kickbikes count as cycles too, I have decided

[jimlews]

I have no bikes, but many transports of delight.

[Cyril Haearn]

I have no bikes, but many transports of delight.

Been waiting for someone to cast a vote for zero

[[XAP]Bob]

Whilst my wife would declare a much higher number for me, I’m only counting cycles I can ride...

[KTHSullivan]

Tandem
her road bike
my road bike
her touring bike
my touring bike
her mountain bike
my mountain bike
my folder
her folder
her audax bike
4 frames of various sizes and vintages
at an estimate 12 spare wheels
at least 20 tyres.

[Pebble]

only the one bike for me (1989 steel frame) and not even the remotest interest in having any other. Want to get it to 100,000 miles before I give up cycling, about 25k to go so may be another 5 years.