CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

The end of n+1?

(24 posts)
  • Started 5 years ago by Greenroofer
  • Latest reply from mercury1and2

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  1. Greenroofer
    Member

    So here's the thing. The last bike I bought, I definitely needed and wanted. Well, I didn't actually need it in the true sense of the word, as by that time I already owned four other bikes, but I did 'need' it to fill a gap in my stable.

    It occurred to me cycling back from a childcare errand this evening that I don't think I really need any more bikes. There are a couple that I sort of want (a recumbent trike and a Tern GSD, for example), but I don't need them and I'm not going to try very hard to persuade Mrs G to loosen the domestic purse strings.

    I've got a folding bike for the train, a sensible commuting bike with disc brakes and hub gears and a dynamo*,a cheapish road bike that lives mainly on the turbo trainer but can be an emergency commuter, an Elephant Bike for carrying stuff and a fancy bike that gets ridden occasionally and cleaned meticulously.

    Is it there a value for n where the number of bikes one wants tends to n rather than n+1? When will you run out of the need to buy more bikes?

    (*actually all five of my bikes have dynamos on them)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  2. neddie
    Member

    Nae neid tae fash yersel

    N+1 aboot tae get a guid bit mair expensive.

    Prolly best noo e bother fur a guid while

    Posted 5 years ago #

  3. gembo
    Member

    Regression to the mean?

    Posted 5 years ago #

  4. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Where n = n? Clearly you are not entirely sound of mind today, Greenroofer. I would give yourself 24 hours to recover your senses, as Bicycle Acquisition Syndrome is really quite normal*.

    While the correct number is ostensibly (n+1), n actually tends to 3.

    * amongst people who have acquired bicycles already.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    Of course the real question is about “N+1” not “N”+1.

    “N+1” is a thing where bike owners often/usually want another bike.

    Sometimes the desire diminishes - space, realisation that you really have enough different bikes to cover most needs (especially where N is quite large), age - less mileage or less need for special/niche bike.

    BUT for those where the “+1” is still a strong desire, it doesn’t mean that this year/month’s “N+1” is a bigger number than previous versions - ie the “+1” is associated with a “-1”.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    There is of course another consideration that is rarely mentioned -

    Physically, what is “N”.

    Essentially a bike is a frame and all the other bits.

    Does each component of “N” have to be rideable?

    Does a new frame add to “N+1” if it gets all it’s components from an existing bike?

    By contrast, are those with piles of discards (due to ‘upgrading’) disguising the “N” by not having ‘enough’ frames??

    Posted 5 years ago #

  7. ARobComp
    Member

    I'm currently trying to n-2! (I know I must be insane) however it's because of a surge in "new bikes" in my household, although two are disguised as bikes I used to have in the Grandfathers Axe sense.

    MTB - was completely rebuilt in January after a cracked frame. Literally the only thing the same on it since I bought it two years ago is now the handlebars...!

    CX bike - Most components have been changed so it's really just the frame that is the same.

    Road bike - had for 5 years and still going strong although frame and forks again mostly the only thing the same as when bought.

    Moofy Vanmoof - Work commuter for fancy clothes meeting days/long distance between meetings (a little more often these days)

    Still need to clear out an old CX frame and a Claude Bulter Panache in the near future.

    I guess I've now got a bike to do whatever it is I might want to get out and do at the weekend/in my garage/around town/with the kid. Therefore I am satisfied that I am able to n-2 for now.... FOR NOW.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  8. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    From the rantings of frootloops we all know the Laffer Curve, the famous tax rate/tax take graph that no one ever actually plots.

    It's clear that tax take is zero when tax rate is zero and 100%. Tax take is whatever it is for the current tax rate. Outwith those three points be dragons.

    There is a cycling Laffer curve of n against quality of life. Quality of life is zero for n = 0 and whatever it is for n = n. I think there is a local maximum at n = 1 for a well chosen steed and that is all I have to say about that.

    Why has @neddie started posting in guttural northern tones? I like it, obviously, bit it's guy queer kind.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  9. amir
    Member

    A temporal component is needed in this quality of life model. There is a high on acquisition that may only slowly subside over time. The model needs to allow for individual circumstances. There may be counterforces to the upward trend such as budget, OH, storage space, injury ...

    Posted 5 years ago #

  10. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @amir

    Excellent point. Acquisition of things actually gives me a delayed high, once the initial anxiety has worn off and I am convinced the acquisition was correct.

    Perhaps there's a variable n' that equals n a time t of purchase but tends to n-1 as time increases?

    Posted 5 years ago #

  11. amir
    Member

    Might turn to n<sub>e</sub>? (where e denotes e-bike)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  12. amir
    Member

    Perhaps subscripts don't work here?

    Posted 5 years ago #

  13. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @amir

    They dinna. Typing CO2 pains me.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  14. steveo
    Member

    I have sadly had to settle at n=2, my 3 bike storage locker isn't big enough for three adult sized bike one of which being a mtb with enormously wide handlebars.

    I can't really even do an N+1(-1) situation as I'm actually happy with both bikes (for NOW).

    I did fancy an elephant bike for reasons I couldn't fully comprehend and my mtb will need replaced sooner or later its getting quite long in the tooth.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  15. crowriver
    Member

    I did a bit of n-x last year. Probably need to do some again this year, but can't work out what quantity x will be. Various unfinished "projects" are looking a bit vulnerable to clearance I'd say. Then there's the question of exactly how many "light tourers" I require, and whether my old Globe hybrid ought to be retired.

    Gets more tricky when there are partner's and kids' bikes to factor into the equation. No.1 son's BMX probably needs to go as he never rides it, but... Also do we need the various folding bikes which have been kept just in case we go on a train assisted bike ride somewhere as a family? Hmm...

    Maybe I will know more by the arrival of the *real* spring. I'll get back to you.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  16. Trixie
    Member

    Delayed high of acquisition - yes!

    I've found that available storage space miraculously increases as n grows. I did not have room to store one bike in my home previously and it caused me much stress. I now have 2 (plus one elsewhere). They are not tidy or put away (I don't have an away to put them in) and I just don't care.

    I have a step through e-bike*, a hybrid and an MTB. All occasions are catered for. I do have a strange hankering for a nice upright Dutch style bike though. Cute basket on the front, nice Brooks saddle, the works.

    *E-bike is about to come back into her own after a long fallow period. My fitness is through the floor due to broken bones. (I broke my bones all by myself, no bikes were involved.)

    Posted 5 years ago #

  17. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I do have a strange hankering for a nice upright Dutch style bike though.

    Posted 5 years ago #

  18. Trixie
    Member

    Delightful!

    Posted 5 years ago #

  19. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    <blushes>

    Posted 5 years ago #

  20. chdot
    Admin

    “Perhaps subscripts don't work here?”

    “They dinna. Typing CO2 pains me.”

    Actually -

    CO₂

    Posted 2 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    N+1 time (again)

    Although I recently decided to donate a bike to my brother having realised he is the right size for one I *know* is too small for me!

    This will be a direct/suitable replacement - 1” bigger.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  22. nobrakes
    Member

    I too have a recent steel N+1. I wanted something timeless and classy that would be comfortable for long days out. It rides very nicely.

    I sold the carbon batbike to fund it (M5 recumbent). So an N-1+1 like you.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  23. gembo
    Member

    I have N +1-1 as when @Iwrats kindly assembled my Shand Skinny,Ali my, the second last they ever made I gave him my Spesh Secteur winter bike.

    I do however have a hankering for a titanium winter steed

    The slinky whose name is Cushy Doo (as is pigeon blue) smashed it back to Balerno this morning though there was a taiily off some force helping.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  24. mercury1and2
    Member

    What happens if N is borrowed and stored - then got rid off - hopefully to Africa- without N owner being aware? I hope the bike forgives - I wanted to give to bike station anyway but my pal forgot to mention that her neighbour emptied the stair cupboard. Anyway I have 3N still left- anyway I seek absolution doubt I will get it- I think I can hear him cry.

    Posted 2 years ago #

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