Pre-Rules
[rule number=12/]
That is a very reasonable opening salvo for the Rule about bike ownership. Three is good and certainly a minimum, and we are talking road bikes here, if there was any doubt. They naturally become ordered: the #1 is ichi-ban, top dog, go-to bike for every and all rides. #2 was the old #1, it sits on the bench, always ready. By the time you get to bike #3, there is a good chance old #3 doesn’t get ridden too often, except commuting, but is that any reason not to keep #3 updated, upgraded and ready for action…just in case?
My #3 is my thirty year old steel bike. It was my #1 for many great years and great kilometers. It stayed behind on the mainland, stabled in an unheated space at my parents, waiting for me to visit them and her. And you better have a bike when visiting your parents. Sometimes the #3 has to do this kind of work. But now the Bella is back with the rest of the crew and needs to be reborn hard.
I already upgraded the steel bike whenever I could. It would not be acceptable to show up for the strade bianche granfondo on this machine despite its age. The carbone ergo levers and the 8 speed Jan Ullrich vento wheels would most likely be met with moustache twisting disapproval. I don’t want a classic steel bike with six speeds and downtube shifters, FFS. I want mine with lots of modern gears, fast wheels, better handlebars and a nice new paint job.
Besides Rule #12’s unwritten clause stating your partner needs to be on a slightly more awesome bike than your own, the upgrade-downward cascade effect cannot be left unmentioned. Upgrading your or your partner’s #1 bike’s components can mean a shower of quality components now cascade down the line. When I upgrade my wife’s Campagnolo Chorus 11 speed to Record 11, one, she will be a full gruppo above me, flying overhead in the clouds. That frees up the slightly beaten up Chorus 11 gruppo for my slightly beaten up #3. My wife is happy, I am happy, bikes are happy, the equation balances out.
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View Comments
3 is a good start indeed.
#1 Supersix Evo .. doubles up as (T)TT bike
#2 Pinarello Assolo with 9speed Chorus .. only thing left of the original bike is the frame, bottom bracket and saddle. Winter bike and my son's ride in summers.
#3 is the former #1, 2014 CAAD10. It's got cracks in the chainstay so is the indoor trainer bike now.
then the shed is shared with the missus' CX, my daughters CAAD3 and an old Gazelle frame that will get new components somewhere in the next couple of year ....
@Teocalli
Fortunately my no.1 = no.1 also = no.9 = anniversary Eddy Merckx MX Leader = Columbus MXL steel w/ 2014 Campagnolo -- first Pinarello Montello RR frame = crashed = sitting under workbench -- no.2 Eddy Merckx needs 26mm tires for its maiden voyage
happening Thanksgiving Velominati -- and to all a good bike!
@bea
Sorry @bea, Eddy was pretty clear on this. Actually he wasn't so clear on this but...you have some work to do.
@RobSandy
Yeah, I think you are safe with track and commuters, it's the MTB bikes we cannot be counting here.
Er, I have 14 bicycles I could ride at any given time with just some air in the tyres...is that wrong? 17 if I include my family's rides...
@Teocalli
Hell yes, an EPMS. This photo is an old one. I cannot be held responsible for my bikes when Frank was still in short pants.
@Neil
Yes Neil, N+1 is a bitch, for truth.
Related to the Bella in the photo, that paint job and "Bella" on the downtube were all a result of me having it repainted and the original decals no longer being available. I tried to reproduce them but they looked like crap so the painter added the Bella himself. I'm about to repaint the frame again and after despairing the lack of a proper head badge decal I found a guy on Etsy who makes some amazing personalized etched metal head badges. I'm getting one of these!
@Oli
Wrong, nay, it's so right.