[Secret_squirrel]

Just wondering how many of this fraternity have succumbed to the temptation to hide an N+1 from their SO?

And whether you were eventually busted?

Used to do it all the time when I was retrobiking and had frames coming in and out like yo-yos. Much harder now I have just riders and N is down to 4-5.

Any tips / cautionary tales?

Topic

[Richard_pics]

“those wheels new…… No

“those wheels new?….. No babe, just cleaned them up” 

(she knows)

[PRSboy]

My wife neither knows nor

My wife neither knows nor cares what I spend on my hobbies within reason, so long as it does not compromise our finances in other areas.  I always talk about intended major purchases, because she’s very incisive at getting to the nub of what it is I want and whether I’m looking to buy for the right reasons.  As such she’s saved me from a few mistakes, but equally, I’ve enjoyed things I’ve bought much more because she’s been behind it. 

Were I intending to hide a purchase, I would do it in ‘plain sight’.  The idea of modding an existing bike is a good plan.

[alotronic]

Have done it, but only on

Have done it, but only on cheap items (eg training wheels, second hand frames) and didn’t feel great about doing it and stopped. Certainly would not spend over around £200 without approval. TBH it’s a good sense check or I would have spent way too much money on bikes, when really, what I need to spend is time on the bikes I have…

[brooksby]

But I’m not allowed to do

But I’m not allowed to do that…

[kil0ran]

Self-build is the way to go.

Self-build is the way to go. My old Triban 3 (now a pub bike) has been through commuter build to fast road with Di2 to light tourer to pub bike. Started with Claris, then Ultegra Di2, then back to 105, then to Tiagra, and now back on Claris. Wheelsets from whatever it came with to deep section aero to dynohub and now on a mixed set of whatever I had in the shed. My partner calls it Trigger’s Broom and quite rightly so.

Alongside that one I’ve been through 3 other bikes and have two in the shed that I’ve had in more or less the same configuration for almost 3 years. Haven’t bought a frame for three years either. 

Never dishonest about these though although equally she doesn’t ask how much I’m spending on them. As far as she’s concerned I don’t smoke or drink or have flash tastes or any other expensive hobbies and so it’s fine within reason. I think I’m at the stage now where expenditure is going to be limited to tyres and other consumables.

[Welsh boy]

I was a little bit tongue in

I was a little bit tongue in cheek, some bits do get sent to work (there’s always someone there to sign for a delivery) but I wouldn’t do a whole bike without saying (well, not unless I was happy to keep the same colour scheme going).

[Simon E]

No, sorry. I feel that

No, sorry. I feel that dishonesty is a slippery slope. I would also not appreciate it being done to me and would lose trust in that person. I’m not being judgemental, everyone has different relationships, that’s just how I am.

I’m up to 4 bikes now but all but the oldest were secondhand and cheap (the most I’ve ever spent is £640 for a 5 year old TCR used for racing). 2 or 3 would be better.

[jaymack]

Alternatively you could treat
Alternatively you could treat your spouse/partner with respect, not lie to them or try to pull a fast one and just say you’re going to spend some of your money on yourself.

[Welsh boy]

Same colour as the last bike
Same colour as the last bike and delivered to work address. Sell a few old bits on eBay, that always covers the cost of the new bits. Not that I know what you are talking about.

[Author]

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