I've asked my sponsor (aka my wife) twice in advance if I could purchase a new bike after owning he first for less than two years. Both times she said yes although the deals fell through.

My wife is so happy I'm doing something constructive and good for my health that she fully supports mt tri's. When you consider what some guys do with their free time, racing tri's is a pretty good alternative.

I'm no expert in marriage but give your wife some credit. Discuss it first - hiding the purchase will not help.

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I'm not crazy. I am mentally amusing. - Daffy Duck

I would have agreed that I was in the wrong... I had already purchased her diamond earrings... Then our good friend and realtor shows up at the house. While I'm working today she is making an offer on 3800 sqft of owning my ass. Moral of the story... If you can't play with the big kids, stay off the court!

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http://www.researchms.org/trifest/

this is a common problem. Here are some tricks I have learned over the years, especially getting away with multiple bikes:

- keep your bikes separate. for example if you have a garden shed or somewhere she never goes, keep most of them in there. Keep one or two bikes in the house and then rotate them as needed. That way she thinks you only have 2 bikes.
- when you buy a new bike, buy some accessories separately (for a few hundred bucks) and put that receipt in an obvious place. Then you tell your wife you've bought a new bike, but casually ask if she's seen the receipt for your bike anywhere. She will then help you find the one you planted, and to her relief you only spent a few hundred bucks. And rub some mud on your new bike so it looks old.
- components are easy wins. most wives don't notice new components unless they are REALLY avid cyclists themselves. So that new set of Zipp FC is an easy upgrade that should go unnoticed. Getting busted for buying a power meter is a schoolboy error - power meters should be the easiest thing to smuggle into your house... you should go and flog yourself on the back as punishment.

  
You have to hang around really sleazy guys, or at least be aware of the latest neighborhood gossip. Then you can say, "I know I shouldn't have bought this bike, but at least I'm not Bob. I mean, would you rather have me sleeping with the bartender? I mean, we're not gonna get an STD from this carbon frame, now are we?" Or, "Yea, it's $3K. But what about Paul and that DUI? That's gonna cost them at least $10K, before insurance." Then as a last resort, there's always "I'm just making myself better FOR YOU. Can't you see? It's all for you. Hell, I don't even like cycling. But I buy these bikes so that I can stay fit, and be a better spouse." Of course, you must be prepared for "He honey, remember that $5K bicycle you bought last week? Well, I'd like you to meet Fazio - our new Cabana Boy. I know we don't have a Cabana, but he's just so cute and I wanted one."

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Damn, that's a cold ass honkey.

I thought he said they are married.

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SmartBikeTrainers.com || YouTube || My Twitter

Stop worring about the wife/bike bullshite it sounds like you have a much bigger problem. You have no balls or backbone.

Dude, that's a piece of cake. Just show him a few pictures of pro triathletes. Then say: "Do any of these professional triathletes look like they'd be much challenge in a fight? Seriously. BUT - if you want to kick my ass, first you have to catch me..."

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<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
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I'm good friends with Andy's wife. She is one Fugly chick...

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<If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough>
Get Fitter!
Proud member of the Smartasscrew, MONSTER CLUB
Get your FIX today?

Here's one guys solution to a situation similar to yours. Check it out at 5:45 or so. You might scale it back a little though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vulNlhUI6m0

Sit her down and say "Honey, we need to talk. I have been sleeping with quite a few women over the past few months. I think one of them is pregnant and one of them gave me herpes (or aids, syphilis, gonorrhea, etc). Also, I have taken the kids college fund and been gambling on Division II Womens Field Hockey. I've lost everything. And remember that story in the news about the hit and run that killed that family - yep, I'm pretty sure it was me. I was so coked out of my mind that it took me about a week to realize that it was me."
When she shits her pants and calls her lawyer, then you say "Nah, just kidding. I bought a new bike last week." Makes spending a few grand on a toy much more palatable.

Nice Freelancer and Timbor!

I talk with my wife about it, but make sure I have a plan on where to get the money, bonuses, selling gear, Xmas, Bday, etc so that she knows I'm legit.

That aside, I say all the time:

"You can't put a price on health."

The reality is that exercise will save a lot of money in the long run. And that six pack won't hurt. Just make sure that you buy the bike at a reasonable price so you don't lose your pants if/when you need to resell it. There are lots of great used bikes for sale on the forums, eBay, etc. Be smart and use the bike when you get it. It helps to discuss it with her in advance, but every marriage is difference, so be wise.

Cheers and good luck. We're all rooting for you. We've all been in a similar situation.

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Fitness, Like Life, Is a Journey!
http://www.trifitcoaching.com

You guys make me feel good about my Mrs. I told her I really liked the new Cervelo P5 Six. After some discussion and making sure our finances were back in order after buying a new house (we close in two weeks)...she says "you handle the money. If you want it, and we can afford it...order it."

A little communication goes a long way. I handle the finances in our house. I'm lucky she doesn't ask for much. But I always make sure she knows where we stand financially so there's never a surprise to her.

I agree. This is more about honesty and commutation than it is about the bike. Talk openly and honestly. You might be surprised when you want something.