How many mountain bikes do you need?

Sometimes, having the right tool doesn't just make the job go faster; it's a requirement.
By Jeff Barber

  33 comments
Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.
File photo.

Serious question: how many bikes do you need to cover all the types of off-road riding you like to do? A single, “quiver killer” bike probably doesn’t exist for most of us, but then again, it depends on the rider and the riding! For the purposes of this question, try to consider how many bikes you need, not the number of bikes you want. Put another way, if you only had X bikes, are there trails you simply wouldn’t be able to ride?

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
How many different mountain bikes do you NEED to ride the trails you want to ride?

Tell us why you need the number of bikes you do in the comments below. 👇

 
A bike workshop with two technicians working on bicycle assembly and maintenance. One technician is assembling a bike frame using tools and equipment, while the other is standing near a large cardboard box labeled "FOX" and working with parts. The environment features workbenches, tools hanging on the walls, and a cart with bicycle wheels.
Mountain bikes
How soon until you buy your next mountain bike?
Close-up view of a mountain bike's drivetrain, showcasing a red and black gearbox, chainring, and crankset. The image highlights the mechanical details, with a focus on the precision engineering elements and textured tire in the background.
Drivetrain
Do you own a gearbox mountain bike?
A row of mountain bikes resting on a wooden bike rack in a garage. The image is in black and white, showcasing the bikes with various designs and wheel sizes.
Culture
One Super Bike, or a Quiver of Average Ones? [Survey]
Two rolled bicycle inner tubes are displayed on a wooden surface. The larger tube is black and secured with a black rubber band, while the smaller tube is bright pink and held together with a blue rubber band.
Tires All
Tubeless riders: Do you carry a spare tube on MTB rides?