In the perfect number of bikes REALLY always N+1?

Given up on collecting bikes. I was spending more time and money getting them sorted than I was riding them. Got rid of a Hummer, Nicolai Helius FR, and a Inbred SS, and a crosser/road/commuter now have a Chameleon, and a Principia Road bike.

They're both nice and I don't have bike repair angst.

Recently pared my stable down to two full sussers from a total of six bikes including a tandem. Then I thought "What am I going to ride the london to Brighton on?. Slicks on the Canzo would work OK but what about a hardtail with rigid forks? Maybe some road cranks with nice big gears to get the speed up?" You get the picture. New project, new bike…N+1.

I have a new theory. Lets call it CHB bike theory of everything:
x=n+2-a-b

x= correct number of bikes to own
n= currently owned
a= the bikes that will be made redundant by the plus 2.
b= how many bikes your significant other thinks you have different to n!

On this theory I need to sell 1 and buy two.

1 for off road & 1 for on road. Simples.

Everything is a compromise.

Santa Cruz VP Free – Alps and downhill
Pace RC405 – Trail centres and tech
Kona Stuff – Dirt jumping
Kinesis Decade Virsa Singlespeed – winter bike and summer XC racer
Cotic Roadrat – commute and touring
Felt Sector 24 – cruiser for the BMX tracks
Honda XR250 – sometimes you just need an engine

Race 3 of them, ride all of em

I have two, number three has been ordered.

I started on an 06 Rockhopper as a do it all bike, for all my commuting and offroading.
I then bought an Enduro which became my offroad bike, and the Rockhopper was my commute/race bike.
The Rockhopper was converted to SS and I love it, but I feel I need something more efficient for longer rides.
Hence, Genesis Altitude 10 is en route, thanks to cycle2work.

I still fancy a crosser for commuting though, but that'll be 2011 and may result in me losing the Rockhopper

I hate having money tied up in stuff that doesn't justify it's existence.

So 4 bikes is all I need, and I think that's indulgence. Couldn't go below 3 tho

2

1 susser
1 ht

may go back to 1 ht.

9 of the things now, pointless, I only use 4 of them.