Jan Heine recently posted a good article on just how many bikes one needs.  There are many circumstances where the concept of “one bike” might make perfect sense, such as a very limited budget or perhaps a studio apartment in a dense urban setting.  But when you have the luxury of owning more than one bike, his article puts a good perspective on it.  Figure out the riding you actually do and how a bike or bikes can help you enjoy those rides more and go from there.  Having a couple or several well-used bikes in the quiver that are all elegantly thought through is a much better approach than adapting an existing bike and offering too many compromises in a specific area of your cycling discipline.  Like riding a fender-less cross bike on your year round commute and engaging in a cross race about a dozen times, you may be better served with having a nice, fast commuter that can handle the conditions.

My personal experience is similar to Jan’s.  I currently only have a 650b Brevet bike that serves as daily transport, allows comfortable finishes on brevets and I can get out with friends on some great exploratory rides.  I can occasionally get out on a camping trip or two as well.  I’m finding that I’d like something with greater carrying capacity and will end up with a porteur at some point in the near future.  I’ve been borrowing a buddy’s tandem and my wife and I would love to have a nicer one to get out and ride together more often.

What about you?  How much do you ride and what bikes might serve that purpose well?