My experience with a stable of bikes.
So, if you’re anything like me, you’re rarely content. That statement alone is why you are most likely reading this. I’d like to give you my opinion on different types of bikes and the purpose I justify them with. Let me tell you a little about my riding habits, and the situation I found myself in. I currently have 4 different bikes that I choose from for my daily ride. I ride anywhere from 5-12 miles with a little of everything from jumps to pavement around my home. I acquired these bikes by not being content as we discussed above, but I’ve learned over the years how I can remind myself of their place in my garage. Your stable might look something like this as well.
Mongoose XL Team DH:
This bike was the beast that last me 5 years of college. I went to school at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and so I explored all of the city and commuted to work on this bike. From stair gaps to riding through the University’s fountain in front of the library, this bike did it all. Being a full suspension bike, it ate up the bumps and curbs that plagued my daily commute. It was very bulky and heavy, but somehow I hucked it off the craziest things without wearing a helmet(I wasn’t intelligent apparently) This bike has so many memories attached, that I refurbished it with some 2.5 tires and ride it on wet and muddy days. It saw it’s pavement, now it sees only off-road.Haro Flightline Sport:
I’m a bargainer. This means that why most dudes are drinking a beer when they finish work, I’m starting to browse craigslist. I was looking for a pretty light hardtail for throwing around XC trails and some light jumps. I wanted something that could stand some abuse, but also be light enough to send off the local rocks. I looked to Haro as their BMX bikes were awesome and took lots of frame abuse. I’m browsing craigslist and saw a guy selling a “used once Haro MTB” for $180. I immediately setup a meeting. I get there to find a brand new bike that came with an awesome story. 70 year old dad, and his son(seller) bought brand new bikes from a shop near my house($525) The father took off down the trail and actually hit the DH course at the local trails. He spilled and vowed to get ride of the bike immediately. I took it needless to say. I use this bike on vacations and will use it to pull around my child’s bike trailer.
Haro X6 Extreme:
I loved my flight line, so I started the hunt for a FreeRide bike made by the same manufacturer. I found within a 100 miles a bike that the guy had just returned from Moab and was selling. I grabbed my best friend, Gardner, and we made the drive deep into the NC mountains. We met the seller early, in the cold, and picked up the bike. First ride, I hit the giant disc brakes and went over the handlebars…in front of my wife. It wasn’t pretty, but I learned quick that bigger brakes on bikes meant faster stopping and less fade. I ride this bike daily on a circuit and single track course that I’ve built around my home. My favorite bike minus the weight.
Bianchi Fixie:
You know what everyone of these looks like…
I bought this bike on ebay for nothing but the road. I went and flipped the cog around to get a single speed that I’m happy with. It’s the dedicated road bike that I’ll ride with pros on the streets, and wonder why I can’t keep up. Absolutely the best trainer for endurance and cadence practice with heartbeat matching.
The point of this little story time is to remind everyone that you can rarely have too many bikes. I’m already looking to get my wife an upgrade for riding with my little boy. Come to think of it, I know that Haro makes a children’s line of push bikes. Guess I’ll be googling that after this post.