I think that this is a pretty complicated issue — a lot of factors. You can't pig out in the space yer wife needs to live in ... not saying you do .. just sayin'. I think that's a "given". So I'd say that if you are crowding her out, she has a point. She might want a fish tank or credenza somewhere. Anyway, it works both ways of course, and that's a private matter between you and your wife. But here are some other factors that are more flexible:
* It is possible to rationalize the owning of each and every bike, within reason: what function or purpose does each one serve in your riding? You can think of it this way: a vintage bike maniac needs a single speed, a fixie, a townie, a junker for parking outside the drug-store, a pure-bred vintage racer in vintage trim (like 5 speed, DT shifters etc.), an upgraded vintage racer (brifters, indexed gears etc). Some bikes on tubulars, some on clinchers; a multi-speed, hub-driven lightweight; a rain bike for training/exercise. If it does not fit a specific function, sell it and use the $ to upgrade the keepers.
* Space: just how many bikes can you own without having to dismantle half the house and part of the garage to get it out on the street?
* What is it that you just never ride, and there is no room on the wall?
As an ex-pat, I've had to learn to be pretty damn brutal. I moved everything I could keep across an ocean on just two pallets (after years of storage) — mostly tools and family valuables. My friends with workshops went away with a lot of stuff I can never own again, like a 2 HP twin cylinder compressor.
It is not pleasant, but you get used to the situation. Inevitably there will be regrets, but it's only stuff. If you can keep the things you REALLY value, you are lucky. Sometimes that's imposible. I don't think a week goes by when I don't think of a 706 cc, pre-unit Triton road-racer in Norton Manx racing trim, and a cedar planked Lightening class race boat that I had to let go
— and that was 40 years ago!!! So if you gotta let stuff go, no one is going to say it's easy.
So, I don't think it is a matter of hoarding or not hoarding:
It's about the practical realities of living. As for me, living in Japan makes it hard to own a lot of stuff — bikes included. My workspace is very small with a tiny compressor, and I'm still wondering what do with a 6 inch Record bench vice. My bike collection is restricted and shares space with a motorcycle I use to get to work. Still, my wife is probably thinking that I own more bikes than anyone needs, but she is not saying anything cuz my blood tests keep coming back with the right numbers on them!
Anyway, they are not stacked up in the kitchen. And each one of merely five serves a specific function.
I hope that helps
