Stuff you tell your partner
09-05-18, 06:23 PM
#1
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Stuff you tell your partner
What do you say to your significant other when they find out you just bought another bike / bike part ? Unfortunately for me my wife drew the line at 2 bikes (I have 3) and I'm planing another one so I'm a little nervous . I think I can handle it as my wife has her own stuff with multiples , however in my case Mswesti always wins . But hold on she said 2 and I have 3 , so I'm winning , but I think I'll need some help with the N-1 .
09-05-18, 06:36 PM
#3
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In my case it was relatively easy.
I had a smoke on the water Ironman and i bought the STB Ironman which is the sane schene but a colbalt blue instead of aqua blue. So i hid the smoke on the water Ironman then brought in the bluer Ironman and told my wife it was a brighter color because if cleaning tips given to me by @RobbieTunes.
Unfortunately a true story. Sorry RT and thanks RT.
I had a smoke on the water Ironman and i bought the STB Ironman which is the sane schene but a colbalt blue instead of aqua blue. So i hid the smoke on the water Ironman then brought in the bluer Ironman and told my wife it was a brighter color because if cleaning tips given to me by @RobbieTunes.
Unfortunately a true story. Sorry RT and thanks RT.
09-05-18, 06:42 PM
#4
No one cares
Don't ask, don't tell.
That and i occasionally sell a bike part and hand the cash over the my wife and tell her to use it for something for her.
That and i occasionally sell a bike part and hand the cash over the my wife and tell her to use it for something for her.
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Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
09-05-18, 06:44 PM
#5
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If you’ve set ground rules with each other, you really ought to honor them. Only you know how much “wiggle room” you have with your partner with these rules, but it shouldn’t involve hiding things. Talk and see you if you can feel better about keeping your third bike, and I would recommend against buying a fourth until you’ve had the conversation.
My wife knows this hobby has a lot of value for me, and I strive to keep things thrifty. Cost neutral is the goal. (Not that I’ve ever hit the goal!)
My wife knows this hobby has a lot of value for me, and I strive to keep things thrifty. Cost neutral is the goal. (Not that I’ve ever hit the goal!)
09-05-18, 06:48 PM
#6
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In my case it was relatively easy.
I had a smoke on the water Ironman and i bought the STB Ironman which is the sane schene but a colbalt blue instead of aqua blue. So i hid the smoke on the water Ironman then brought in the bluer Ironman and told my wife it was a brighter color because if cleaning tips given to me by @RobbieTunes.
Unfortunately a true story. Sorry RT and thanks RT.
I had a smoke on the water Ironman and i bought the STB Ironman which is the sane schene but a colbalt blue instead of aqua blue. So i hid the smoke on the water Ironman then brought in the bluer Ironman and told my wife it was a brighter color because if cleaning tips given to me by @RobbieTunes.
Unfortunately a true story. Sorry RT and thanks RT.
A police officer once told me "if anything happens here tonight, you did it."
He somehow misplaced his patrol car that night. It really wasn't me.
09-05-18, 07:06 PM
#7
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"Sweetheart, I bought something big, but it's not a boat..."
"This" happened last week.
99.9999% honesty is the best policy. We both have vices and understand what makes each other tick.
"This" happened last week.
99.9999% honesty is the best policy. We both have vices and understand what makes each other tick.
09-05-18, 07:13 PM
#8
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But Miss Chr0m0ly is a bike commuter and had a Schwinn “boat anchor” I think was the model? She replaced it with an ‘84 Trek 510 that was worlds better, but she never was comfortable on it. Plus she missed the stability she had on the Schwinn.
I gifted her a “like new” ‘85 Miyata 210 when we spent a month in Boston together. (We were long distance at the time) She loved it. The stability of tw Schwinn with the quality of the Trek. And it FIT. So after I swapped stems, and seats, and tweaked the adjustments she decided the Trek 510 just wasn’t for her.
After she saw me enjoying my different bikes she expressed interest in finding a racier bike. So I scoured Craigs list and EBay, and found an ‘86 Miyata 710 in the 46cm size.
the seller just tossed it in a box and the fork and front derailleur were beyond saving. I sourced a replacement fork, and had it installed, and I put on a period appropriate front derailleur from my stash.
She LOVES that bike.
So while Diana cannot fathom how I could have aquired a dozen roadbikes, she does sympathize with me wanting to try different frame geometry’s and materials to find out which are keepers.
Also, I’m downsizing right now. If I can bring the dozen down to a lean 6-7 then I’ll be in good shape.
I think that having 5 bikes when I made the move to Chicago also helped. She knew I had problems!
09-05-18, 07:29 PM
#9
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My wife is a good sport about it. Occasional eye roll, but nothing worse. I often use the “golf argument”. I could do that like many other guys my age, spend just as much money, probably more time, but drink beer while getting fat instead.
There is a threshold though, where the volume gets so big that, unless she sees the box on the doorstep, she may not notice a new edition. Something to shoot for.
There is a threshold though, where the volume gets so big that, unless she sees the box on the doorstep, she may not notice a new edition. Something to shoot for.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
09-05-18, 07:39 PM
#10
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You guys are great , I was thinking of mswesties cowboy boot collection . One time I told her one more pair and she had to ware them to bed . Well she did , gave new meaning to that ZZ song about naked cowgirls floating across the ceiling .
09-05-18, 07:58 PM
#11
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No sweetie ive had that one for a while just never used it.
09-05-18, 08:02 PM
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I have like 5 bikes that is some same shade of gray. I didn't pick the color, just happened to be what was available.
Anyways, I'm always futzing around with them and she's always asking "Did you get another bike?"
"No, dear. It's the same one, just different bars/tape/whatever."
And she leaves it at that. Wouldn't surprise me if I actually did get another bike and we have the same talk with the same outcome. I can't tell if its ambivalence towards me getting another bike or if she genuinely can't tell the difference between the bikes. She has 4 bikes of her own so can appreciate the different geometries and uses but could care less between brands, lugs, components etc as long as it works.
I may have to do some scientific experimenting soon.
Anyways, I'm always futzing around with them and she's always asking "Did you get another bike?"
"No, dear. It's the same one, just different bars/tape/whatever."
And she leaves it at that. Wouldn't surprise me if I actually did get another bike and we have the same talk with the same outcome. I can't tell if its ambivalence towards me getting another bike or if she genuinely can't tell the difference between the bikes. She has 4 bikes of her own so can appreciate the different geometries and uses but could care less between brands, lugs, components etc as long as it works.
I may have to do some scientific experimenting soon.
Last edited by zze86; 09-05-18 at 08:05 PM.
09-05-18, 08:03 PM
#13
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I’ve said this and it was true! I bought her a time trials bar about a year ago. It was $200.00 and had a free ‘86 Trek 560 attached to it...
09-05-18, 08:45 PM
#16
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Wife occasionally comes into the bike room, looks at the "wall-o-bikes", looks at me, shakes her head and walks away. Cheaper than drinking I suppose. She doesn't ask what I spend. I'm a sane, reasonable, individual. We have agreements we adhere to.
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My bikes: '81 Trek 957, '83 Trek 720, '85 Trek 500, '85 Trek 770,
09-05-18, 08:57 PM
#17
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I tell her up front what I'm about to buy, and how much money. I spend so little on bikes. I ride one of them every day. My health is good, my energy is good, I'm happy. She's happy.
09-05-18, 09:24 PM
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Honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. Don't put her in a position to wonder what else you haven't told her. My SO and I have NO secrets from one another. I'm just sayin'...
Jon
Jon
09-05-18, 09:38 PM
#19
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Why we love C&V bikes: (Her)Is that a new bike? (Him)No, it's old. (sotto voce) Real old!
09-05-18, 09:49 PM
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
09-05-18, 10:12 PM
#21
Senior Member
Use girl logic of course. Buy a Jersey that is the color of the bike you will buy. Then when she askes why you bought the bike just tell her you could not wear this cool jersey without a matching bike. She will understand. 
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
09-05-18, 10:42 PM
#22
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My wife and I had a long serious talk.... some years ago. We covered the concept of need, desire, collections, hoarding, etc.. Available space was a major consideration. My wife actually came up with the idea of a substantial out building... that would provide space for storage of bikes and parts... as well as workshop space. Which made me realize I didn't really want a collection of bikes. I mean I have a need for more than a single bike... and I like to wrench on bikes too.
We finally worked out a agreement of 4 bikes. PLUS... I can pick-up any "project bike" I come across. But the project bike either replaces a bike I already own, or is sold after repairs and/or restoration.
I have room to hang 3 bikes in my garage, and I can park a 4th bike. I have room in my man-cave for two bikes (one hangs on the wall). So it works out pretty good. I saw a bike on Craigslist (a CAAD10) not long ago... That I couldn't past up. I bought it knowing full well that I would have to sell my old Cannondale R500. It was tough because I really liked the old Cannondale... but the new acquisition was a much nicer bike. And selling the old bike recouped most of what I spent on the nearly new [better] bike.
So over the years.... I've wrenched on winter project bikes.... sometimes turning junk into treasure. I've owned and ridden some really nice bikes. And I've sold more bikes than I would have ever guessed I'd ever own. My herd stays a pleasantly manageable size (4).... but the bikes just keep getting nicer.
We finally worked out a agreement of 4 bikes. PLUS... I can pick-up any "project bike" I come across. But the project bike either replaces a bike I already own, or is sold after repairs and/or restoration.
I have room to hang 3 bikes in my garage, and I can park a 4th bike. I have room in my man-cave for two bikes (one hangs on the wall). So it works out pretty good. I saw a bike on Craigslist (a CAAD10) not long ago... That I couldn't past up. I bought it knowing full well that I would have to sell my old Cannondale R500. It was tough because I really liked the old Cannondale... but the new acquisition was a much nicer bike. And selling the old bike recouped most of what I spent on the nearly new [better] bike.
So over the years.... I've wrenched on winter project bikes.... sometimes turning junk into treasure. I've owned and ridden some really nice bikes. And I've sold more bikes than I would have ever guessed I'd ever own. My herd stays a pleasantly manageable size (4).... but the bikes just keep getting nicer.
Last edited by Dave Cutter; 09-05-18 at 10:46 PM.
09-05-18, 11:48 PM
#23
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It seems that you have the same hobbies.
You want to buy a new bike, are your economic conditions ok?
If there is no problem, can you also buy one for your partner?
You want to buy a new bike, are your economic conditions ok?
If there is no problem, can you also buy one for your partner?
09-05-18, 11:50 PM
#24
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In the beginning, for me, here on BF I wrote this:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...s-vs-wife.html
It generated five pages (of high and low discussions). More than any post I have made writing about a bike. That might say something either about my bikes or the subject.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...s-vs-wife.html
It generated five pages (of high and low discussions). More than any post I have made writing about a bike. That might say something either about my bikes or the subject.
Last edited by styggno1; 09-06-18 at 12:03 AM.
09-06-18, 12:52 AM
#25
verktyg
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Bikes and SOs
One afternoon back about 1980, my live together paramour came out to the garage and out of the blue said "the bikes go or I go"....
My instant response was "Jeez, I'm gonna miss you!" . End of discussion!
I had my Colnago, my Bertin trainer and my off road rough stuff bike plus there were about 5 gas pipe clunkers that I brought home from our shop to overhaul and donate to deserving people.
What she really meant was she wanted me to fix one or two of her girlfriends up with bikes!
Say what you mean!
Do what you say!
BTW. I was paying the rent and half of our living expenses including for her 2 kids plus all of our entertainment and recreation outlays. She had her own money so I never felt any need to run my purchases past her.
verktyg
My instant response was "Jeez, I'm gonna miss you!" . End of discussion!
I had my Colnago, my Bertin trainer and my off road rough stuff bike plus there were about 5 gas pipe clunkers that I brought home from our shop to overhaul and donate to deserving people.
What she really meant was she wanted me to fix one or two of her girlfriends up with bikes!
Say what you mean!
Do what you say!
BTW. I was paying the rent and half of our living expenses including for her 2 kids plus all of our entertainment and recreation outlays. She had her own money so I never felt any need to run my purchases past her.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 09-06-18 at 03:12 AM.