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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@Randy C
Should you ever renovate your house you will find numerous opportunities to ensure ongoing concealment of your collecting manias: large cupboards can be built in a music room so that guitars can be smuggled in unnoticed, part of the garage can be turned into a dedicated workshop in which power tools can multiply undisturbed, and this can necessitate the construction of a shed in which to house the bikes, which can thereafter safely breed away from prying eyes. Such, at least, has been my experience. Whether it is prudent to remove constraints on the potential for self-impoverishment is a question I suggest not be contemplated too closely. Far better to just get out and ride, then stay in and play / build.
@Gianni
Rumours of my demise were exaggerated. Unlike reports of my fatness and lack of fitness.
right now, i have one complete bike and a box of parts i am hoarding for my next build.
#1 is a Haro/Masi Gran Criterium. lugged, oversize Reynolds 525 tubing, 105 groupsan, Ritchey components. i saw it hanging in my lbs, and the name caught my attention. (the names Masi or Gios will catch the attention of any vintage steel bicycle freak) i took it for a ride, and that was THAT. this bike is better than my old Serotta Atlanta, or my Merckx Corsa. it is stiff enough, and SUPER lively. easily the most FUN bike i've ever owned.
#2 will be a Ritchey Road Logic. i've got everything i need except the frame. this one will be Ultegra groupsan, Ritchey components.
is this thread moving in the direction whereby sharing my domestic money laundering techniques might be a relevant post?
@freddy
That will ALWAYS be a relevant post...
@Cary
FYI - Ritchey is offering 20% off on frames for Black Friday..
@ChrisO
I'm lucky, I have one great bike who can do it all!
@Gianni
I'm not so sure my commuter can be counted... (in your eyes it's probably worse than a MTB)
I still can't get over it, we have 17 bikes in our garage (we're a family of five, the boys are all under 10, I ignored the bikes which are too small or have no pedals) and only three of them can properly be called A Bike.
And with 17 bike-like-things in the garage, you can guess where the car is...
@freddy
It will give you instantly the recognition-badge of being a guest-contributor.
@Clean39T
thanks. this is great information!
How about n+86? www.paddle8.com/auction/robin-williams
I have this bike, and a few others, but Robin was the Merckx of Collectors
@G’phant
@KogaLover
Ok, I'll open the window a crack to give you guys a peak at one of my best techniques, but before I do, I'd like to say that without my partner, as the CFO of our family, I'd probably be on the street corner with my hand out saying, "A looney for the bus, sir?"
That said, I've learned that there are some things in life (such as guitars and bicycles) that supersede all others and because those in control may not understand this (and it's not worth arguing about), utmost secrecy is required (meanwhile, my wife probably knows all about my dirty little tricks and let's it go because, hey, love is like that and my shenanigans don't really make a significant impact on our financial situation). In summary, it's the second part of Rule #12 (s-1) that is probably the most important: let's try to keep our relationships healthy.
Enough preliminaries. Here is the scoop on Domestic Money Laundering Technique (DMLT) #1:
My employer is part of the Canadian Savings Bonds program. An employee can sign up and get X amount of dollars deducted from one's pay every two weeks. The interest earned is negligible, however, the money is diverted and set aside before it arrives in our bank account where our family CFO has full control. As everything is electronic and the host of payroll deductions that Canadians are subject to is very complex, it goes by unnoticed. The kitty slowly accumulates week after week. Once or twice a year, I'll make a withdrawal and have a manual cheque mailed to my employer's address. I take this to the bank and get it cashed on the spot--no record. The cash goes into the secret hiding place (again, for all I know my wife knows exactly where this is and exactly how much is in there). When an upgrade to say, Bike #2 is required, the money is there to make it happen and the cascading upgrades to the other bikes down the line fall into place accordingly as described by Gianni.
It's important to say in conclusion, like with all petty crime, do not get greedy, keep the increments relatively small. Just be patient and let the magic happen in the background. DMLT #1 is just one way Rule #12 has prevailed in my household.
-fff