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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@freddy
My CFO has similar control and but for that, likewise, I'd likely in the "a paper bag, you were lucky...." pickle. However, I used to have a special allowance that went into my own account called Squirrelled. Somehow that account got absorbed into some central project or other but has now been replaced by Ferreted that is all mine - but is also rather empty after project Gios.
@Teocalli
Yes, "bottom of lake--it was a luxury." My "Coffee" allowance has been helpful over the years, trickling into the kitty in support of Rule #12 activities. I get pushback when I put a Timmy's medium, double-double on M/C from time to time. All part of the dance.
@Teocalli
project Gios was a helluva project, tho. i can't think of a better way to drain an account.
You NEVER can have too many.
#1 Colnago C-59 SR eps
#2 Jaegher Interceptor SR '15
#3 Jaegher Ascender SR '15
#4 Lemond 86 TDF SR eps
#5 Colnago Master SR '11
#6 1984 Schwinn Paramount Dura-Ace 8 speed SIS DT
#7 Cannondale Synapse SR '11
Saddle bag?
@EBruner
Oh My! Now THAT is quite the stable!
(but why both an Interceptor and an Ascender? [besides the obvious answer "B/c I can"]--I looked at Jaegher when I was getting ready to lay down some money on a new frame and I really liked the Ascender and it seems to do everything the Interceptor does ands more. Just curious as to why two Jaeghers and not a Merckx or De Rosa or Pinarello or whatnot).
@freddy
Thanks, what worked for me thus far is the following: I live in Switzerland and if I export something from the EU (eg Netherlands) to Switzerland (which is not part of the EU), I can claim the 21% VAT on the EU-product back. I need to however pay 8% VAT for importing into Switzerland, but the net effect is 13%. On top of that, my employer has a CO2-reduction programme which means they co-pay 50% of bicycles, washing machines or even Tesla's etc (up to a limit of 5000 CHF over a number of years) that help to reduce carbondioxide emission. Like that the net spend for a new bike is about the same as buying a used one.
@Buck Rogers
Oh, I don't have a real answer. I dig them, 100% bespoke, not made in Asia, Kurt is a great guy to work with, etc. Both my Jaeghers are the last frames I have bought, and other than vintage, I doubt I buy a mass produced frame again. I think I would rather spend my money with an artisan. And in there US at least the chances are slim to none that anyone else will line up at an event on the same frame as you.
-Eddie
#1 Wilier Cento Uno SR
#2 Wilier Gran Turismo
#3 Wilier Mortirolo
#4 Boardman CX Pro
#5 Ritchey Breakaway
#6 Surly Pacer
#7 Salsa Fargo
#8 Surly Ogre
#9 On One Inbred
#10 Cannondale Mtb Tandem
#11 Ridgeback Mtb beater
#12 Kona beach cruiser