Do I really need another bike?!

[Vickivix]

As I think I said in my welcome post, I had a hybrid. I didn't realise how heavy it was until I bought my road bike. Now I hate this particular hybrid, it's awful and hard to ride.

However, I was finding the road bike hard to get used to and I thought maybe a nice light hybrid/flat bar road bike would be good to build up fitness and shed some pounds before getting on the road bike again. I narrowed down my choice to 3 bikes.

But this week, I've finally clicked with the road bike. I've ridden it twice, one journey was the same journey I made a few weeks ago which was horrendous. This time I loved it. I was actually grinning like a loon.

I'm now trying to decide whether I do need a new hybrid. I think I would prefer commuting with a flat bar and I know I'd be happier with the brakes, then use the road bikes for longer "get out there and go" type rides. But I also feel guilty for spending money when I don't *need* to (even though it's my money and it's sat waiting to be spent!).

Am I really asking a cycling community if I need another bike?! Or am I seeking justification!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

No you don't.

 

[MikeW-71]

I had one bike to start with, now I have 5 .... 2 road bikes, a CX, an MTB and the old boneshaker "pub bike".

To be fair one of them should go.

But, if you would feel better commuting on flat bars, then get one and take the road bike out at weekends. Sell the one you hate. You can also use the new hybrid if you're just popping to the shop or something.

 

[RichardB]

n+1. Simple.

 

[Profpointy]

you could fit "cross-stop" brake levers on the flat bit of the bars if that's the main problem. Unlike the old extension levers "when I were a lad" cross-stops work very well. Another thought is whether the drop bars are quite the right fit / position for you. I have two drop-barred bikes, and can't imagine ever buying flat-bars, but one of the bikes is a much better fit than the other.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Your a long time dead. Spend the money and treat yourself. I purchased a track bike recently. Do I need it really? No, .... I will probably get on the track a few times a year, so that particular bike will not pay for itself. I just read that back and trying to make good excuses for you to buy it. Your commuting bike will pay for itself in under a year I would think.

Whatever you decide to do enjoy.

 

[Vickivix]

I do have the cross top levers, I should have said. But I end up constantly moving about on the hoods then up to the bar, often with left hand over the cross top brake and right hand on the hood. But it's a confidence thing i think with riding around traffic, lights and junctions.

 

[Vickivix]

Ironically the cash has come from a car accident I had driving home from work. This is why I'm taking the idea of commuting a bit more seriously.

 

[jefmcg]

How far is your commute? Is it hilly? If it's shorter and flattish, then treat it as a training ride, and use your awful hybrid. You'll fly along the roads at weekends.

(I don't think two bikes is an extravagance - you still have transport if something goes wrong. If you current hybrid is close to unrideable, replacing it makes sense)

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Go for it: I'm forever buying - then giving away when I finish with them, as none of my bikes are very expensive.
Riding a few different ones for several months lets you find out what style you like better.

 

[Wafer]

Always need another bike but...

I changed to a road bike last year and certainly struggled with the commute at times in the autumn/winter wondering if I'd made the right decision and maybe I should just use the hybrid for that anyway...
But the road bike was newer and shinier and I got it on the cycle2work scheme so kept going with it and got used to it over several weeks.
Then one day I forgot to take the road bike with me. I drive most of the way to work, park at my mum's house and cycle the last bit in. The hybrid was still in her garage so I rode that in. Man did that feel weird, suddenly realised I'd completely gotten used to the road bike and was now fine with it.

I do wear gloves for pretty much any journey now though, partly as a grip thing, it helped with my confidence braking from the hoods.

If you can afford it and want to get another one, go for it The road bike might just take some more getting used to but there are certainly people who decided drops aren't for them.

 

[Vickivix]

There are 2 routes I can use to work, the road which is a 5 ish mile fairly flat except for many speed bumps. The other is 7 miles through a paved country park (but bumpy where tree roots have pushed up the tarmac). I've not done the shorter road as yet but I'm not sure the tarmac in that bit of Leicester is in good nick.

 

[montroseloon]

I own two bikes much to the confusion of the missus, one is a road bike and the other is a hard tail. I work at sea for six months of the year so they do sit idle for a big chunk of the year, but when I am home I try to get out at least four times a week if the weather is decent. If you are using your bikes as much as you do why shouldn't you treat yourself to something that you like and feel comfortable on

 

[ufkacbln]

Take an organised rational and adult decision

Take a piece of paper and divide into two columns "For" and "Against"

Spend a few minutes writing all the reasons for a new bike in the "For" column, then leave the "Against" column blank


Go for s cup of tea, return and review your logical and evidence based choice

 

[raleighnut]

You always need another bike. N+1.................................its the rules innit.