N+1 bike decision....

[gangzoom]

It's now 3 years since I last bought an N+1 bike, as I'm going to hit my mid 40s soon, now I think it is the time for a midlife crisis purchase. In terms of budget I'm not too bothered, as compared to a new car or divorce the cost on Salary Sacrifice is pretty tolerable.

The only 2 bikes at present I ride at all is the Creo I use once in a blue moon but I love riding it, it's fast, comfy and generally a pleasure to ride. The Boardman is the workhorse, it used 2-3 times a week, in all weathers. However it feels very slow to ride, you can tell the finishing kit isn't great, and not as comfortable as the Creo espeically with all the pot holes around now. It's also coming to needing a big service, new cassette/hub service etc.

The choices I think I've come down to is:

• 1: Buy another 'nice' bike (Like the Scott Fastlane), put a pannier/mudguards on the Creo and use that more for commuting, and use the Boardman for when I need to leave it locked out at station/some where high risk.

• 2: Buy something better built for commuting so with suspension/guards from the factory, slacker geometry - Like the Vado. Try to sell the Boardman, get some better wheels for the Creo and keep it as my 'nice' bike.

- The third option is to just upgrade the Boardman with some suspension - but that seems far too sensible, and doesn't fit with N+1 plan .

Any thoughts/suggestions?....Getting both the Fastlane AND Vado has crossed my mind, but N+2 isn't something I've seen promoted anywhere!!

Edited by gangzoom on Tuesday 10th March 18:01

[HenryV1415]

Option 1
Boardman is crap don’t waste money on that. Creo is ok for an EBike, get a nice bike and feel amazing

[_Rodders_]

HenryV1415 said:

Option 1
Boardman is crap don t waste money on that. Creo is ok for an EBike, get a nice bike and feel amazing

The boardman is already owned.

And Boardman's are great for what they are. Not quite as good value Vs the competition as they used to be but there's still a place for them.

Had mine since 2011 and it still beats bikes costing 10x as much.

[gangzoom]

HenryV1415 said:

Option 1
Boardman is crap don t waste money on that. Creo is ok for an EBike, get a nice bike and feel amazing

I get what you are saying but don't bad mouth the Boardman. It's been an absolute workhorse, hit the deck 3 times in it and it just keeps going. On my 3rd chain and 2nd cassette. I've used it so much I've actually worn out the rubber grips on the handle bars.

The geometry of the Boardman is pretty aggressive for a commuter, the HA is 73 degrees, that's the same as the Creo at with Vado at 69. If I was been sensible the Vado looks perfect as the commuter replacement, but the Scott Fastlane will be a nicer bike to ride for the few 'Fun' rides I do every year.

[TWODs]

How is replacing/upgrading an N+1 if you have 2 bikes already. Your +1 needs to be a 3rd bike that fits a different brief. Personally I'd go for something completely opposite to what you already have to enjoy and explore a different type of cycling, and i would still upgrade (or replace) existing steeds.

[v8notbrave]

Indeed what do you want? You're using an old hybrid with cross bars and have a rarely used gravel ebike. N+1 works if they have a different purpose (convinced wife it's like ladies shoes have as many as you want but they're for different occasions)

Do u want to commute on the gravel ebike with drops? Is the key question

I'd get new wheels for boardman (and straps for toe clips) and run it to death, use gravel bike for mild off road and get a proper road ebike with proper geometry so it feels like a race bike and not a sit up sportive

[gangzoom]

^I think I'll go with the Scott Fastlane and than put a rack on the Creo for commuting on dry days. Might still get some kind suspension on the Boardman as the roads really are so awful to cycle on these days!!

Now I just need the right colour/spec to become available on our SS scheme. The total cost of owing through SS is £3700 including the final ownership fee, but new cash is over £6k, so a massive saving worth waiting for.

[stargazer30]

Funny that Op. I had a boardman ADV8.9e similar to yours and now I use a specialized as my run around ebike. In my case I picked up a vado dirt cheap as it was a mid step frame in XL which is a bit niche, and I converted it to drop bars, leccy gears and fitted guards/racks. Still worked out much cheaper than buying one fully kitted out.



My main bike is a carbon gravel bike. I keep eyeing up the Vielo V+1s but I'd need a 2nd mortgage to afford one!

[gangzoom]

^Does the suspension seat post make a big difference when hitting potholes around town? What ever n+1 bike I get next the commuter bike needs some suspension.

[stargazer30]

gangzoom said:

^Does the suspension seat post make a big difference when hitting potholes around town? What ever n+1 bike I get next the commuter bike needs some suspension.

Yes on the heavier e-bike it stops the weight of the bike hitting bumps transferring to your back so makes longer rides less fatiguing. I have the same redshift post on my carbon gravel bike but not so much for comfort as it has bigger tyres, it’s more for efficiency. The bike is just easier to pedal over rough surfaces with it on according to my power meter. Must be because it gets bounced around less.

[gangzoom]

This video seems to be right on topic....I'm very tempted to just order the Canyon sub 10 for full RRP, but that really makes no sense when the Scott FastLane is available on my employers SS scheme....So I'll keep sitting on my hands to wait for the right colour/spec bike to become available on SS

https://youtu.be/zrXach-fgZ4?si=rhjDbtI8GFj25yip

[oddball1313]

Why not get something none motorised?

[gangzoom]

^I can count on one hand the number of times I've ridden an analogue bike since getting the Boardman 6 years ago. I've got not interest in analogue bikes anymore, eBikes are just more fun.

[okgo]

oddball1313 said:

Why not get something none motorised?

Quite. Unless you’re obese or old I really struggle to see the point on a road bike.

[nickfrog]

Sorry for the mission creep but what about a mountain bike? That would be adding a huge layer of fun.

[_Rodders_]

gangzoom said:

^I can count on one hand the number of times I've ridden an analogue bike since getting the Boardman 6 years ago. I've got not interest in analogue bikes anymore, eBikes are just more fun.

Agreed.

Haven't ridden my normal bike since I put it back in the car last May after the Fred Whitton.

ebikes are just better.

Not even obese, I'll hand my Rapha card in (gladly).

[gangzoom]

okgo said:

Quite. Unless you re obese or old I really struggle to see the point on a road bike.

Well my BMI is 23 so closer overweight than under, and I'm closer to being 6ft under than a new born, so I think I fit both of those points .

nickfrog said:

Sorry for the mission creep but what about a mountain bike? That would be adding a huge layer of fun.

It's been 2 decade since I last got on a hard tail, can see the appeal with the limited bit of gravel riding I've done with Creo, but honestly if I got one it'll get used once than never come out of the garage.

I know what I want now, I hope something close to the below will appear on the SS portal soon, if not I'll just get the Canyon Sub 10 through normal means, happy with either .

Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 15th March 20:33

[gangzoom]

My only hesitancy of dropping a stupid figure on any new eBike at the moment is semi-solid state batteries are literally just around the corner. They look like they offer at least an 25% improvement in energy density, so on an road eBike I think it will mean a sub 9kg top spec build.......But I doubt we'll brands making OEM bikes with these batteries for another 18-24months.

https://ebike-mtb.com/en/semi-solid-state-battery-...

[okgo]

_Rodders_ said:

Agreed.

Haven't ridden my normal bike since I put it back in the car last May after the Fred Whitton.

ebikes are just better.

Not even obese, I'll hand my Rapha card in (gladly).

I went out for a couple hours yesterday on a top spec normal road bike - I’m intrigued to know how an ebike is ‘better’ - apart from making it easier which isn’t better for everyone..?

Canyon bikes are often good value vs name brands if you are going for one.

[stargazer30]

okgo said:

_Rodders_ said:

Agreed.

Haven't ridden my normal bike since I put it back in the car last May after the Fred Whitton.

ebikes are just better.

Not even obese, I'll hand my Rapha card in (gladly).

I went out for a couple hours yesterday on a top spec normal road bike - I m intrigued to know how an ebike is better - apart from making it easier which isn t better for everyone..?

Canyon bikes are often good value vs name brands if you are going for one.

It depends on the person. I have both a light carbon gravel bike with a road wheelset for roadie days, and a half-fat ebike. I'd probably have given up cycling before I got fit enough to do longer/faster rides on my unassisted bike if I hadn't had an ebike. It helped me get fit. I still use the ebike when I'm hauling crap about (example 2 panniers full of tools at the weekend to go fix Dad's shed), when the weather is crap or I just want an easy zone 2 day.

I ride the non leccy bike as often as the ebike and if I'm doing a 100mile jobby or multi day tour I have to as the ebike doesn't have the range.

But that's me. I can fully understand cyclists in there 50s or more who just don't want to kill themselves on every hill or crawl up them at walking speed preferring eBikes. They do a great job of flattening hills and turning off the wind but you still get healthy exercise.