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the heart wants what the heart wants

I've (literally) lost sleep this week trying to determine if I should pull the trigger on a ti road frame that's languishing on EBay.

I've always felt that as long as I have only one ass, I really only need one bike.

Pros: would be a badass second bike.

Cons: would be a money pit, because I would not be able to resist building this up as stupid-light.  Plus, small home, with no space. 

Anyone suggest a tie-breaker? 

Comments

  • I live in a 900 sq ft apartment and I own three bikes (none of which you can see outright, TYVM). Just sayin'...there's a lot of ways to find space image
  • I feel your pain! I'm in exactly the same situation as Jennifer, small apartment, my 3 bikes and my girlfriends bike too. I had to make a bit of a call on affording EN for this coming season and buying a Tri bike...I've got a good road bike with tri bars that I think will be fine for another season, and see about getting the Tri steed for 2013. I'm in the amazingly lucky position that my friends and family are all chipping in for a Powertap for me (Birthday and Xmas) or it would have been HR training for me again this year.

     

     However...if you have the cash and can find the space, go on...you know you want to!

  • You can always hang it from the ceiling. I hear Ti bikes are the bomb...
  • The correct number of bikes to own? Whatever you have now +1.
  • +1 on Bill's equation.

    @Colin, I'd love to meet your friends. Mine just laugh at me running and cycling all the time as they head to the gym to get buff.
  • Home too small for an additional bike? I'm thinking you use that bike money for an expansion.
  •  You can never have enough bikes

    Road bike

    Tri bike

    Single speed

    Powercranks dedicated bike

    Mountain bike

    And that is just the typical choices, I didn't even include

    Track bike

    TT bike aggresive position versus tri bike in relaxed aero for long distance

    Yes this means you should not feel bad about the new plus one bike

  • Patrick posted this somewhere and I've been using it everywhere! Even when my kids start getting worked up...



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpP8N-X1dF4 (hope it 'link'ed) I only post this cuz I have to run it through my head whenever I get obsessed with something like a big bike purchase.  I could always 'use' a newer and better bike.  In my case, do I really need it?  I have a 'very good' bike.  Could justify getting a 'great' bike.  Each athlete has the different background.



    Anutha bike? hurts the budget? No? go for it.



    you already ride a sweet bike? Yes? chill.



    Got a family? Do they grumble when they see or hear of anutha bike? chill.



    could you sell the other bike for some good coin after you build this new dreamy ride? Yes? that seems reasonable.



    just a few thoughts. keep us updated.



     

  • I don't think you need a lot of bikes, but a road bike is a good thing to have. I ride my road bike for 2-3 months a year from the end of the tri season until the beginning of the OS when my tri bike gets strapped to the trainer. Those 2-3 months are a ton of fun.
  • @ Roy: Ha! Yep, I've got those friends too! Thing is, they have realised that this Ironman thing isn't going to go away. I took a year off to focus on other things but now they see me settling in for another year of training, and it's starting waaayyy earlier than I did for my first IM. Very excited about the gains EN can supply if I do the work, and I think they have all heard a lot about it...hence the PM is possibly a bribe to just get me to shut up!

    +2 on Bills comment. the two rules on the ideal number of bikes to have are:

    1) n+1 where n=the number you currently own.
    2) s-1 where s= the number of bikes which would cause a separation with your significan other.
  • I say get it but set a budget for the components. image I know you ride your bike a lot, and time on a road bike will make you stronger and faster...and make the tri bike more fun and enjoyable (and also faster). Just sayin...
  • Didn't win the auction, but now I've got Lynskey on the Brain.
  • Good luck! My theory is that I've never regretted buying another bike

    And it keeps getting worse, between hubby, the kids, and I, we have 11 bikes in our garage. No room for a car...

     

  • And I haven't seen anyone mention the tandem that is necessary for those rides with the SO... Ours is a 70's Schwinn 3 speed that weighs about as much as an elephant but boy is it fun to ride.
  • Posted By david ware on 11 Nov 2011 03:34 PM

    And I haven't seen anyone mention the tandem that is necessary for those rides with the SO... Ours is a 70's Schwinn 3 speed that weighs about as much as an elephant but boy is it fun to ride.

    Or for riding with kids!  We biked across Tuscany for nine days with our kids at ages 9 and 12 on two Bike Friday folding tandems, totally self-supported. It was the best trip ever. We simply promised the kids they could eat  pizza and gelato every day!  These tandems are awesome, they each fold into two suitcases, which then stack into a trailer you can tow behind you.

     

  • Pulled the trigger:  steel Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel.  It's fun to have a build project, and the next purchases will be King BB, and Thomson stem + post.  Drivetrain will come from the parts bin until I have to replace components.    

     

  • Wow, that looks sweet!!! Have fun building; definitely need to see pics when she's all dressed up.
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