On a budget? Wife limited your bike budget? BUY USED! You can get any bike you want at 50% or more off new prices by buying used. If you buy a used bike and it doesn't fit or you want something else - SELL USED! You'll get back what you paid for the bike (OR a small loss OR a small profit) and have the same amount to reinvest in yet another bike. The only expenditure is your time. You REALLY want deals? Go to police auctions & yard sales. Selection stinks, but you find jewels at giveaway prices when you score (patience pays).

Wives tend to object less when the financial outlay is zero or nearly so after the initial bike or two. You'll need to learn to work on bikes yourself, but it's a small price to pay. I average a different bike every two or three months. So far, I've had a cruiser, a hybrid, a full-campy racer, a tourer, a fixed-gear, and a recumbent. Total outlay = not much!