I use my bike(s) for everything, but especially to replace car trips.

Since that means they need to be utilitarian, both have front and rear bike racks and a place to hang a basket, if needed. They also both have fenders.

My MTB does all the heavy-lifting, bad-weather, off-road capable riding, so I can attach a trailer to that one, use studded tires during the winter, etc.

It’s also steel, so even though it’s 30 years old, I expect it to last another 30 years at least.

My other bike is more of my good-weather fun bike, but since it’s also capable of hauling stuff, I use it for quick pick-ups, long recreational rides, and to drop stuff off around town.

That one is a folding bike, so it stores and can be moved around more easily.

Everything… almost. Commuting, shopping, getting about, going on holiday. I like the right balance of fun and practicality for the situation. I have a single speed with pista wheels and a pizza rack, and a fendered up tourer with racks and bottle cages.

I use my bike mainly as a very utilitarian means of transportation within my city and its surroundings. The most important features for me are:

• Swept-back handlebars (I prefer an upright riding position to better see my surroundings)

• Racks, panniers, and bungie cords to carry things

• Two locks, a u-lock and a chain lock

• Lights and a hi-viz vest for riding after dark

I mostly ride road for Recreation and fitness, so I have a CAAD12 for that purpose.

Right now I’m on a road trip, and I’m seriously wishing I had a gravel bike. My area is all paved roads, but some areas we’ve visited have a plethora of gravel roads. My narrow tires are not liking that.

We’re at an event at a fair grounds, and I’m seriously wishing I had my hybrid with me for getting around. I’m pretty sure it’s over a mile to the buildings. Next time I’m going to look into renting e-bikes for my wife and I for getting around. This would be the only time we’d use them, once a year at most, so renting makes a lot of sense, if that is something that is even offered.

I have a hardtail mtb for occasionally going on trails, but I rarely ride it.

I have three bikes.

My main bike (sorry this is the only photo i have on my phone):

It is an old step through frame steel bike. What i need from it is to be really reliable and maintenance free. And to not be a desirable bike for thieves as i live in a big city and need it to be able to park in the streets all year.

It’s perfect. It was dirt cheap (used), runs real smooth, single speed, fenders, a chain guard, a fixed basket with a beer bottle holder, a rack, reelight induction lights (enough for the city), kickstand and a frame lock. I use this daily when i’m home to go shopping, to the bar etc.

My second bike is my old steel frame road bike which is the oldest bike i still have, have had it for 25 years (sorry no photo). I may ride it around town when the weather is nice, maybe if the distance is further. It lacks all the useful features of my main bike but it’s fun to ride and zippy. I put a flatbar on it after the original handlebar got stolen. I cannot leave it in the streets over night but have to park it in the basement or my appartment.

My third bike is the bike i use for touring and longer day trips, to the lake or whatever:

I need it to have a whole range of gears, especially in the low section for touring, a bit more sportier geometry than my main bike, but not as sporty as a road bike. It has a hub dynamo and really good lights, a rack and fenders. And a kickstand. If i were to buy new i would want the frame to take wider wheels, i am not maxed out yet but that would be a nice thing to have. And also probably i’d go for disc brakes. But these v brakes have been working flawlessly for me. I like the simplicity. People have told me in the rain they don’t work and on long descends they don’t work, but i can say for sure, that for me, they totally work. In the rain, on long descends, rainy long descends and steep gravel descends. I think the most important thing is to know your brakes behaviour. I don’t let this bike in the street over night, so i have to also bring it to the basement or appartment.