I find the threads about purchasing bikes interesting. People seem to approach it from different perspectives.
Some people see (or read about) a particular bike and lust after it as an object. They buy it to have it. Others only buy something that they 'need' to fulfil a specific task. Others buy as little as possible, happy to modify whatever they have to meet the task. And there's also people that just feel the need for something newer than what they have.
I'm in the middle I think. I've ended up with a 100mm xc-ish hardtail for long gravel commutes with singletrack options, gravel days and a 142/160mm trail/enduro for singletrack, racing, bike parks. I can admire the look of other bikes but wouldn't buy anything because I couldn't justify the need. Both get ridden most weeks at least once each.
Then I have mates with a quiver of road bikes, gravel, e-bikes. One friend has a 700g framed road bike, a ti s/s, a 160mm yeti, another FS, but only ever rides his e-bike.
So do you buy a bike when you're looking for something to fit a need, or is it more nuanced?
