I ride my bikes in rotation, but all of my bikes must be rideable. I must admit that the rarest and prettiest of my bikes (Colnago Arabesque) I will not ride if I am with friends that I feel might make an error by making an unexpected move or failing to maintain a straight line. I have only put one of my bikes down in a crash since I started collecting even though I sometimes ride fast and in large groups, but I am extremely careful both for my body and for my bikes' sake. The one bike I did crash I really didn't like so I guess subconciously ...
I have a five bike limit but a limitless desire to play with old steel so I just turn the neighbors on to the hobby. This week a neighbor bought a Gianni Motta from craigslist for $300. The owner didn't know what he had - it was so encrusted with protective grease and dust ... top of the line bike with campy cranks and derailleur, All the rest was Dura Ace with the exception of Maillard Helicomatic hubs ... full panto on the seatpost and stem. For the record, if a bike is badly described, with no pics than you have a shot at a real bargain but you may have to drive a while for nothing. That bike is on the stand getting cleaned up by my friend who never had any steel before he met me. Now he owns a top o line Benotto all NR and this bike and all the tools and easy off oven spray .. the whole deal. Because of me three people in the hood are now collecting who weren't before. I am responsible for driving up the prices in the market. Sorry but not sorry.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl USA