• Simplifying the garage. What shall I keep?

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:40 pm**

I've decided after 16 months of struggling with long-covid, that is triggered to a certain degree by stress, I need to simplify my life a little. One of the needlessly complicated things I have going on is maintaining 4 bikes when in reality I only need two (or possibly three....). But I really don't want to get rid of any of them.

I think know which two need to go (the short travel full-suss and the nearly new gravel/tourer) because in the first instance I can't afford to run two full-suss bikes and in the second, the sort of overnighters I do I can easily do on my hardtail and I don't need such a specialist bit of kit!

But the thought of selling them is stressing me out and so is the thought of regretting selling them! I'm stuck in a weird limbo...

Anyone got any pearls of wisdom that will help shove me over the line?

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:33 pm**

Do you use all 4 bikes? Do you need the space or the money?

If you don't use 2 of them you have 3 options:
-Turn them into the sort of bike you would use (probably a bad idea given the stress this could cause)
-Sell them (it's a good time to sell at the moment)
-Put them in the back of the shed and don't maintain or use.

If you think that in 12 months or so you'll be fully recovered and raring to dig the old bikes out of the back of the shed, then option 3 is top. If you think you'll stop caring so much then sell them.

The advice I would give is to put them in the back of the shed for 3 months - then if you forget about them it is time to sell them.

(I am bad at this advice - I never sell anything and have some bikes that I never use but won't sell).

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:39 pm**

Either do what he says or (IMO) think about which one you use the least. Sell that. See how it goes. Getting stressed about things is sometimes because the task seems to large / complicated / un-manageable. Make the task smaller (sell only one bike) and take it from there.

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:43 pm**

If you have a bike you really aren't planning to use and doesn't have any personal value to you, then move it on. Bike prices are high at the moment so it's a good time to sell

I've gone the other way and am back up to 5 bikes now. They all have a purpose but one isn't ridden much at the moment. That's just a quirk of my current position, it has more miles on it than all my other bikes combined. On that basis alone, it has personal value that means I'm happy keeping it.

I've only sold two bikes. The rest either got nicked or I've kept. First bike I sold was the bike I upgraded from. Second bike I didn't need as it was too close to something I already have. If I still had it I doubt I'd ride it more

Ultimately you have one pair of legs so you can only ride one at a time. Keep the ones that make you happy. Sell the ones that don't. It's a hobby/pastime/recreation/form of transport

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:46 pm**

On the subject of long covid I've been struggling since April 2020 but really thought I was fixed about 2 months ago when it felt like a pop in my chest and my back pain went Instantly while out jogging, ive recently ran 2 hardmoors events and the 3peaks only steady but I felt OK, but yesterday while jogging I passed a man with 3 dogs (I'm allergic to dogs) and it was literally seconds to pass them but I almost instantly started wheezing and although it passed my pain is back, same place same pain I'm at a loss tbh now

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:10 pm**

I had a big cull a few years ago. I felt like you do but once the first had gone, it became a cleansing experience and not horrible at all.

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:18 pm**

And on your op ive gone from 7 to 2 well 3 actually and a load of wheels lol

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:26 pm**

i am a 1 bike guy now.

years of commuting and riding became a fucking pain trying to keep bikes running well

i now have a rohloffed titanium bike that as so far been a zero maintenance choice.
not even washed it since buying it 6 month ago.

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:34 pm**

You big dirty bugger Tony

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:46 pm**

Why not get rid of one and see how that goes before jumping in with two feet and selling two?

I’d keep one bike for mountain biking and one that I could ride straight from my front door

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:48 pm**

You big dirty bugger Tony

our lass says that too mick..........

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:25 pm**

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:10 pm I had a big cull a few years ago. I felt like you do but once the first had gone, it became a cleansing experience and not horrible at all.

This.

I've plans to do this again over the summer. It is difficult at first, but always feel better afterwards!

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:37 pm**

firestarter wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:46 pm On the subject of long covid I've been struggling since April 2020 but really thought I was fixed about 2 months ago when it felt like a pop in my chest and my back pain went Instantly while out jogging, ive recently ran 2 hardmoors events and the 3peaks only steady but I felt OK, but yesterday while jogging I passed a man with 3 dogs (I'm allergic to dogs) and it was literally seconds to pass them but I almost instantly started wheezing and although it passed my pain is back, same place same pain I'm at a loss tbh now

Sorry to hear that Firestarter. I'm similar. Have had at least three attempts to start running again. Currently enjoying a flare up thanks to hayfever kickstarting the LC again!

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:43 pm**

I think a cull is what I need. I'll probbably stick the gravel/tourer up for sale soonish but keep the full suss until after my yearly South Down Way trundle and then clean it up and get it sparkly for a new owner.

That will leave me with a big travel full suss for days in the mountains and my lovely steel hardtail for out-the-door rides.

Which will make room for a carbon fatbike. NO, NO, NO... Must stop!

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:57 pm**

IME there's no more maintenance involved looking after a number of infrequently used bikes than there is looking after one that's constantly used. Plus, it's good to have an alternate for when parts are hard to get (like all this year and next).

I did release a hardtail around this time last year and I could probably get rid of my carbon roadbike for all it's used (though it's sitting on a turbo trainer at the moment). Thing is, it's 12 years old and so has little financial value.

Switching around wheelsets, and maybe forks, can make the most of a smaller fleet though if that's what you want. I have both rigid and suspension forks for my fatbike. Same for my Ti hardtail (as well as both 29er and B+ wheels). With 3 wheelsets for my Amazon (road, CX and 650B) that gives me lots of options.

Posted: **Tue Jun 22, 2021 9:19 pm**

I’m mulling over the same things. My problem is that most of my bikes settle round the heavy duty off-road tourer kind of thing so there is too much overlap.

I have a Rohloffed Troll that I should move on or canabalise… but I am quite attached to it even though it would never beat a 29er in a “which bike shall I use for this ride?” competition. I also find selling bikes stressful!

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:33 am**

firestarter wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:34 pm You big dirty bugger Tony

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:35 am**

Specialist Hoprocker wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:37 pm
firestarter wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 4:46 pm On the subject of long covid I've been struggling since April 2020 but really thought I was fixed about 2 months ago when it felt like a pop in my chest and my back pain went Instantly while out jogging, ive recently ran 2 hardmoors events and the 3peaks only steady but I felt OK, but yesterday while jogging I passed a man with 3 dogs (I'm allergic to dogs) and it was literally seconds to pass them but I almost instantly started wheezing and although it passed my pain is back, same place same pain I'm at a loss tbh now

Sorry to hear that Firestarter. I'm similar. Have had at least three attempts to start running again. Currently enjoying a flare up thanks to hayfever kickstarting the LC again!

Not good mate ,, take care hopefully it'll clear , fingers crossed

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 7:42 am**

GregMay wrote: ↑Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:25 pm This.

I've plans to do this again over the summer. It is difficult at first, but always feel better afterwards!

Dibs the El Mariachi!

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:06 am**

I need to make room as well but my main problem is that the two bikes to logically go are also the ones that would raise the least amount of money towards a new frame so the time investment in getting them ready to sell looks less attractive, so they continue to sit in the garage.

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:57 am**

PaulB2 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 8:06 am I need to make room as well but my main problem is that the two bikes to logically go are also the ones that would raise the least amount of money towards a new frame so the time investment in getting them ready to sell looks less attractive, so they continue to sit in the garage.

Not sure we're helping the OP but this is me too, except I've already bought the replacement frame and moved parts across so I have absolutely zero impetus to sell all the parts that need to go except the constant nagging from the boss. I might just change the locks on the garage so she can't see the mess.

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 10:58 am**

If anyone who is thinking of downsizing, is considering getting rid of a medium fat bike...

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:06 pm**

On a more serious note (although I wouldn't mind a large El Mar...), I had a big clear out before we went away, got things down to one bike and an assortment of bling/useful bits. It was a rushed, stressful process and I'd hoped to avoid ending up in the same situation. But after some covid/unmotivated feckless spending things got a bit out of hand earlier in the year.

Had to go through a slow realisation/acceptance about the type of riding I'm actually doing, or will do in the foreseeable future. As a result a lot of stuff had to go. To help make decisions and to tackle the motivation side of things, I looked at my riding and settled on having the most "fun" bike I could for that. Bikes aren't the lightest, most modern, or most adaptable bikes. They probably wouldn't handle me touring far flung stretches of the globe for months on end either, but that's not important to me right now.

To help with the actual clearing out, my advice would be to pick one "thing" at a time to get rid of. This doesn't have to be a single item, but focus on just one bike, one box of parts, or maybe the seatposts you can carry in one go. Juggling a lot of stuff on forums/ebay etc. is off-putting to begin with and can easily get overwhelming

It's also worth weighing up the pros/cons of selling some items - a lot of expensive stuff is either worth piss all these days, or isn't worth the hassle selling. It's helped having the charity bike shop round the corner. I know I'm a fortunate position to say this and others may not be, but I've just written off any used tyres and dropped them off there to go on donated bikes, or for people to pick through at their leisure. I might have "lost" out on a couple of hundred quid but I've not had to deal with questions about wear, tread, tubeless compatibility, "will it fit my bike" and the like. They've made a few quid for their cause and I have a whole bunch of free space.

Posted: **Wed Jun 23, 2021 6:16 pm**

I'm in a similar boat in having to sell bikes to thin out the "collection" and make some room but find it really difficult to do, Also a seemingly repeating theme with some of the bikes overlapping in use case, example;
Singlespeed (takes 38mm tyres and mudguards but v-brakes)...intention was to replace with...
Arkose singlespeed (with Hylex hydro discs, but now converted to 1x11 with bar end shifter, with mudguards and 38mm tyres)...was intended to be replaced by my Arkose X due to larger tyre clearance, etc
Both should go, plus a cx cable disk bike with mudguards (probably).
But, I...can't...quite...do it...

Also, a fair number of parts, which reduce in value each time I put off sorting them for sale, to the point I think I might as well keep (for what though I'm never quite clear...)

I'm liking the charity donation suggestion above and will sort out a load of tyres and saddles this weekend to take to the local(ish) Julian House bike workshop....its a start!

Posted: **Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:48 am**

atk wrote: ↑Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:06 pm On a more serious note (although I wouldn't mind a large El Mar...), I had a big clear out before we went away, got things down to one bike and an assortment of bling/useful bits. It was a rushed, stressful process and I'd hoped to avoid ending up in the same situation. But after some covid/unmotivated feckless spending things got a bit out of hand earlier in the year.

Had to go through a slow realisation/acceptance about the type of riding I'm actually doing, or will do in the foreseeable future. As a result a lot of stuff had to go. To help make decisions and to tackle the motivation side of things, I looked at my riding and settled on having the most "fun" bike I could for that. Bikes aren't the lightest, most modern, or most adaptable bikes. They probably wouldn't handle me touring far flung stretches of the globe for months on end either, but that's not important to me right now.

To help with the actual clearing out, my advice would be to pick one "thing" at a time to get rid of. This doesn't have to be a single item, but focus on just one bike, one box of parts, or maybe the seatposts you can carry in one go. Juggling a lot of stuff on forums/ebay etc. is off-putting to begin with and can easily get overwhelming

It's also worth weighing up the pros/cons of selling some items - a lot of expensive stuff is either worth piss all these days, or isn't worth the hassle selling. It's helped having the charity bike shop round the corner. I know I'm a fortunate position to say this and others may not be, but I've just written off any used tyres and dropped them off there to go on donated bikes, or for people to pick through at their leisure. I might have "lost" out on a couple of hundred quid but I've not had to deal with questions about wear, tread, tubeless compatibility, "will it fit my bike" and the like. They've made a few quid for their cause and I have a whole bunch of free space.

Hit the nail on the head a few times there!

There's a really important thing about having a bike/bikes for the riding you mostly do, and I spent too long pondering/buying things that were what I aspired to ride or only did occasionally. Of course there's personal preference, but there's some key choices to be made about what you could build and own, and what you should. Also agree about selling things being a bit stressful and annoying/time-consuming.

Ultimately it's liberating unburdening yourself of 'stuff' (bikes and generally), and maximising what you have - including riding time!

Simplifying the garage. What shall I keep?

Simplifying the garage. What shall I keep?

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