Bicycle commuters need to own 2 bikes!

[hartleymartin]

Crashed my bike again about a week ago. This experience has taught me that any serious bicycle commuter needs to own at least two bicycles. If you crash one you need another to ride until it's all fixed up again. When my Malvern Star is ride-able I intend to use it more. Chances are I will alternate between that and another bicycle for commuting and general riding.

[sharktamin]

Two bikes or some serious spare parts...

Bike one is in for service including some new spokes at LBS. New spokes take two weeks to obtain (longer spokes for 27" wheels).
So I get the bike back minus wheels, lucky I have a spare set.

[casual_cyclist]

This is good advice. I have three bikes. Two are off the road so only one is rideable. I want to commute tomorrow so I am glad for that third bike

[Kalgrm]

Only 2? Why should commuters miss out on the fun of a garage full of bikes?



Cheers,
Graeme

[hartleymartin]

n = n+1... need I say more? I got 4 coming into my garage this weekend, and 2 more I have my eye on at my club. My current commuter/tourer is going back to the club and probably to a friend who is trying to get into cycling.

[Aushiker]

G'day

I have four spares plus the commuter ... I think I am just covering the bases

Andrew

[ni78ck]

i only have one bike , i must show this thread to my wife

[simonn]

Actually, you need three.

I have had both my bikes broken at the same time for a (work) day.

I now have spare gear and brake cables at home.

[MJP Wilson]

The more the merrier. I reckon four is a good number for frequent change. Although the old back has a twinge or two when I go from the commuter to the road bike.

[sharktamin]

If all your bikes are similar, you can interchange parts in an emergency, but then you might not need to buy another!

[casual_cyclist]

If all your bikes are similar, you can interchange parts in an emergency

I've done that. It worked well

[sogood]

It is convenient to own two bikes, but there's definitely no absolute need to own more than one. If one applies the same criteria, should car owners also have two cars?

Seriously though, just do what motorists do when their cars are in for repair ie. Walk, public transport, taxi, rental etc etc.

[casual_cyclist]

Seriously though, just do what motorists do when their cars are in for repair...

We ride our bikes

Seriously though, I would be more upset if I had no bike than if I had no car. I can put my bike in the back of the car, drive it to the mechanic, leave the car and pick it up when it's fixed. If I have a working bike I can get most places I need to go. Cycling is the fastest way for me to get to work too.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Absolutely. My Miyata needs some cleaning and tuning for which I just don't have the time at the moment. Fortunately, I will be riding the Centurion tomorrow. Of course, I could also ride the Giant, the Apollo, the other Centurion, the Avanti, the Raleigh, the Repco or the Nishiki. With a little bit of work, I could have more options.

Oh, I forgot the mountain bikes I'm minding at the moment.

I got caught short once before an important commute. The tyre was flat when I went out in the morning, I changed it and pinch flatted the next in my haste. Then the tyre wouldn't re-seat. I changed the wheel for another, but the brakes didn't reach with the fatter tyre on it. In the end I ran out of time and had to get a taxi to my appointment. My spare bike was in parts being serviced. I promised myself I wouldn't let that happen again.

I've dedicated myself to riding to work everyday this year, and so far I have done that. In fact, I haven't driven to work for 9 months now.

Every commuter should own at least 2 bikes.

David

[Thoglette]

It is convenient to own two bikes, but there's definitely no absolute need to own more than one. If one applies the same criteria, should car owners also have two cars?

Seriously though, just do what motorists do when their cars are in for repair ie. Walk, public transport, taxi, rental etc etc.

Ring Ring Ring
Hello, Bob's Hire Cars. How can we help you?

Ah, no Sir, we don't have a Specialized Paris Roubaix in the yard today. No, no Colagno or Miyata either.

What do we have? Ah, a couple of Toyotas, and a Hyundai.

No, Sir, we don't have any Greenspeeds. We hire cars, sir.

Look, if you must, the mechanic has an old mountain bike out the back. You might be able to talk him into lending it to you for half a slab. Tyres need some air and the chain's shot. I'll give him a yell...................

[Nobody]

It is convenient to own two bikes, but there's definitely no absolute need to own more than one. If one applies the same criteria, should car owners also have two cars?

Seriously though, just do what motorists do when their cars are in for repair ie. Walk, public transport, taxi, rental etc etc.

Most motorists with school age children have (at least) two cars in the family.

I think bikes are less reliable/durable than modern cars per Km traveled.

[trailgumby]

I think bikes are less reliable/durable than modern cars per Km traveled.

We should petition Toyota to make bikes, I reckon.

[hartleymartin]

Most motorists with school age children have (at least) two cars in the family.

I think bikes are less reliable/durable than modern cars per Km traveled.

But maintenance and repairs on a motor car are always far more expensive than that of a bicycle.

[sogood]

Most motorists with school age children have (at least) two cars in the family.
I think bikes are less reliable/durable than modern cars per Km traveled.

Well, we are talking about 2 bikes for each bike commuter here... 2 adults and 2 kids, 8 bikes!

But I agree with you. Cars these days are incredibly reliable. Virtually no user intervention required b/n 15,000km services.

[sogood]

But maintenance and repairs on a motor car are always far more expensive than that of a bicycle.

Not by the way some riders expend in a year.

[gdt]

I paid for a Shimano 105 to Ultegra upgrade on my partner's new bike so I could steal bits should my commuting bike need overnight repairs. The second bike you "own" doesn't have to be yours

[casual_cyclist]

I paid for a Shimano 105 to Ultegra upgrade on my partner's new bike so I could steal bits should my commuting bike need overnight repairs. The second bike you "own" doesn't have to be yours

+1. I have done this too. Worked well

[casual_cyclist]

But maintenance and repairs on a motor car are always far more expensive than that of a bicycle.

Not by the way some riders expend in a year.

This may be true for some riders who love to upgrade There are other factors too. For cars, petrol as a running cost can add up over a year, so expenditure on a bike needs to be offset against that. Also, if you cycle instead of joining a gym, that is a big saving. On of my co-workers spends $26 per week on gym membership!

My next best option after cycle commuting is public transport, which is $1,400 a year for me. I don't spend that on my bike and car combined (including petrol!). Over a year, I spend more on my bike than my car, unless you count petrol, then the car is more.

[lemmiwinks]

Over a year, I spend more on my bike than my car, unless you count petrol, then the car is more.

You need to offset the fuel for the car with the fuel for you but then you need to take into account the % of that fuel used for bicycle transport vs keeping you alive

[sogood]

It would be an interesting exercise to calculate the respective costs of the two modes of transport. One that considers,

- Same mileage traveled.
- Fuel/food usage.
- Time use, with factoring of time/money.
- Maintenance costs.
- Equipment costs eg. Special bike gears.

I can see a huge difference in outcome if one takes into account of traffic jams for short distance commutes vs long distance commutes with no congestion.