How do you choose?

[weisan]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

I see the Goodrich being my daily driving Cadillac/BMW, the Zanc being the Porsche that comes out on weekends, and the Lyon is the farm truck or station wagon, doing the dirty work.

NOW you are getting the hang of it!

Just got back doing a short ride on my Merlin Ti bike. It doesn't go out as often as the others because it's a dedicated touring and gravel bike. But man, for a 30-year-old bike it sure rides really nice...heck, even nicer than bikes produced in 2017!

Anyway, just to add on top of what I posted....acknowledge that this is all a matter of "excess", more of a luxury than a necessity, a privilege not a right. When we were staying abroad, I had only one bike and it was fine, I was able to do everything I wanted and enjoy cycling to the fullest. Coming back to the States given the extra space, easy access, relatively inexpensive due to "soft" market, and some dumb luck - I was able to acquired several really nice bikes in short order, plus it helps that I had been doing this for like 30 years, I kinda know what I am looking for and what I like, so when the opportunity knocked, I answered.

Can I go back to only one bike again?

Yeah sure...anytime.

It's the ride that I am looking for, not the bike.

[etu]

Matt,
It makes sense to differentiate the bikes based on their riding characteristics, but it's ok to just to have variety.
My commuter has been getting the most love over this wet winter but i rebuilding up another bike that should ride very similarly. It's got a great paint job and it's blue, not orange.