n -7

[Aidan]

Heresy I know, but I have been toying with the idea of reducing (burn him he's a witch )  the number of bikes I have.

In my delusion I was considering getting one bike to do almost everything, although I'd probably keep my hack mountain bike for getting dirty.

I'd sort of settled on a Van Nic Pioneer or Amazon with Rohloff, or a Thorn something or other , again with Rohloff

Has anyone any further suggestions, or indeed a way to talk me out of my madness

[Hot Flatus]

Has anyone any further suggestions, or indeed a way to talk me out of my madness

No, I think you've really lost the plot this time. 

[tiermat]

I went through something similar at the end of last year, my motivation was that TPTB would not allow me to buy the Ridley Triton I was lusting after until I cleared enough bikes out the garage for us to be actually able to get in there!!!

Whilst not quite 7 to get rid of I still needed to sell 4!!!

[andygates]

... I'd probably keep my hack mountain bike for getting dirty.

...and your fixie for winter grinds, and your race bike for TTs, and the recumbent for giggles...

...admit it, this Rohloff / Van Nicolas isn't N-7, it's N+1.

[Aidan]

... I'd probably keep my hack mountain bike for getting dirty.

...and your fixie for winter grinds, and your race bike for TTs, and the recumbent for giggles...

...admit it, this Rohloff / Van Nicolas isn't N-7, it's N+1.

Damn, rumbled

Mrs Aidans response , when I was musing about this, was " If you're going to do this, make sure you sell some first"

But, actually, having fewer cycles did have  some attractions when I was thinking of this ( although I struggle to think of any just now) 

[Robbo5]

... or indeed a way to talk me out of my madness

It is not madness. I've "only" got two bikes, one fitted with Rohloff and a fixed. I could probably do without the fixed if I had to.

[dasmoth]

I got a Thorn Raven Sport Tour about two years ago, thinking it would be a dream commute bike which could also do just about any other kind of cycling I might want.  It does indeed handle the commuting rather well, but on a nice day, something lighter with skinny tires has definite attractions.  So I've succumbed to N+1, and am now pretty sceptical about the idea of a true all-rounder bike.

The Van Nicholas bikes look nice though...

[PrettyBoyTim]

The problem is, that an all-rounder bike will always be worse in some way than a specialised bike. The trick is to buy your first bike as an all-rounder, and then never get another bike (or at least, only replace your current all-rounder with another all-rounder). You can then live in blessed ignorance of how wonderful it would be to have something light and quick, or bouncy and grippy or completely lacking in freewheel and be quite happy with your heavy old hybrid with 700x35c tyres... 

It's been working for me so far, but I guess once n > 1, it's hard to go back.

[dasmoth]

You can then live in blessed ignorance of how wonderful it would be to have something light and quick, or bouncy and grippy or completely lacking in freewheel

Was working for me until I found a forum where appealing N+1 options are discussed on a more-or-less daily basis 

[alan]

I too am guilty of contemlpative heresy.I keep toying with the idea of selling my Trek 5000.
It's only because I am too midle to do anything about it that it isn't sold yet.Same as the Volvo V70 parked on the drive

[Torslanda]

I've "only" got two bikes, one fitted with Rohloff and a fixed. I could probably do without the fixed if I had to.

Don't talk to him, he's not a real cyclist. My God! He can even hold a conversation! Look at him he's making eye contact with people . . .

[clarion]

I like to commute, to tour, to ride fast sometimes, and ride roughstuff.

I have several bikes, but I keep returning to my Orbit.  It's not as fast as my Woodrup, it's not as classy as my Carlton, it doesn't have the vintage cachet of my Rudge, and it's not as well suited to a commute as my other Woodrup frame will be when it's built

But it does all those things very well.  I can burn off some carbon boys from the lighs even though I have front pannier racks.  And, if I see a muddy bridleway, I can just peel off & go.  No worries about whether the frame can take it (it's 531ST).

So, if you're going to go for the one all-rounder bike, I'd recommend you invest in a time machine, go back about thirteen years to before Orbit moved to Sheffield, and get a Silver Medal (but do, please, change the Selle San Marco Fox saddle for something that can actually be sat on).

The only niche I can't fill with the Orbit is tandem.  And we have a Super Galaxy that does that nicely

[GruB]

Aidan,
Not getting rid of any ti frames are you?

[Aidan]

Aidan,
Not getting rid of any ti frames are you?

Got your eye on one?

[Polar Bear]

I've contemplated on more than one occasion a frame that I could use as a 26 inch tourer, swap the forks and use as a hardtail mtb.   Still wish I had my late '90's Marin Muirwoods frame.  That was very suitable for the job. 

[GruB]

Aidan,
Not getting rid of any ti frames are you?

Got your eye on one?

The MonstDogThorn I got from you is still ace, but one day, she will metamorphasize into a ti frame, I have no doubt 

[LEE]

My Thorn Raven Tour (Rohloff) soaks up all the Winter abuse with almost zero maintenance.  It allows me to keep my hands and my other bikes clean over this period.

Buy a Thorn first and THEN consider selling some other bikes.

Remember, you get 100 days to see if you get on with the Thorn (so you may as well try the Rohloff first).  I doubt if Van Nichols give you a 3 month trial.