What’s the Ideal Number of Bikes to Own? (Video)

A couple of weeks back, I published a piece titled The Problem with N+1, which took a critical look at the assumption that more is always better when it comes to bikes, highlighting some of the practical and philosophical issues with owning and maintaining a fleet of them. My main goal in writing it was to combat the narrative that buying another bike is the answer to finding motivation to get out more, becoming a better rider, and adding to your happiness.

At this point in my relationship with bikes, decades on, I’m more interested in whittling down my stable than adding to it, focusing instead on riding more and appreciating what I already have. Still, shiny new things occasionally have their allure. Based on the overwhelming number of comments on the piece, it seems many folks around our community are grappling with the same issues.

Ben, a commenter in Australia, suggested that we should share a survey to learn how many bikes our readers own, and we did exactly that. More than 2,000 of you responded, and Neil reviewed the results and explored the topic in his latest YouTube video. He also asked all of us on the team to offer some insights into our ideal fleet, and Logan, Miles, Neil, Nic, and I all shared the number and style of bikes we’d ideally like to own. Find it all in the video below, and let us know your thoughts in the Conversation.

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.