gtpslim

Went into my lbs yesterday to look from a left over 61 cm Roubaix. Unfortunately, they are pretty uncommon and nothing left. I'm 6'7, so sales person told me that Spesh will be doing the elite frame in a 64 cm size for '08! I can afford it, but feel a little self conscious dropping that much on "just a bike".

Couple questions:
Shop will sell for 10% below list. How much should they negotiate on a bike that they don't have any carrying costs? It is already sold when it hits the showroom.

Next, and more difficult...I can tell my wife it is a $1000 and she'll won't know that it is significantly more. I've been squirreling some cash for the purchase. She'll be suspicious if I don't have a receipt in our bills file. Any ideas on how to reconcile?

filtersweep

Don't lie to your wife---and by her, a truth untold is the same as a lie. It will be a far worse fight over the lie than over the price of the bike. You are 6'7"--- your fit options are far more limited, and great deals are rare as hen's teeth in your range.

Secondly, the shop is not as motivated to sell a bike that is sitting on the shelves depreciating. Specialized already offers a ton of bang for the buck--- I wouldn't expect that much of a discount.

stapfam

Talk to the shop and get 2 bills.

Spent a fortune on a custom build this year- Told the wife the week before I got it how much it would cost. She did not bat an eyelid. She just went out and got what she wanted but was afraid I would scream blue murder that she did not need another Laptop computer- Even though her old one was only 3 years old.

Wives have ways of getting back at you as the Computer came out of the joint account and I now have a spare Slow laptop at work

Doug5150

Firstly--as I have heard it from numerous sources, bike shops don't make squat on new bike sales. I don't ask for or expect negotiations.

Secondly--tell wife the true price, and then explain that it costs more than normal because it has to be special ordered, because you're so tall.

-----

The 2006 msrp is $1800, and if you are generally keeping a sound financial house and you'll ride it a lot, $1800 ain't that much. There's a lot of things far less healthy that people blow even bigger money on.
~

Mr. Beanz

I never lie to my wife. So she is well aware that her bike was three times the price of mine!

gtpslim

Good advice from everyone. I think the prevailing wisdom is probably the best path. On price, the "expert" is the only model going to the 64 cm frame so the cost is north of $3k...this is a lot of money on a bike, but turning 40 next year I could do a lot of things more stupid with this money.

I don't agree with the statement about the shop having no motivation to deal on a bike since it isn't depreciating on the floor. I see this as a "quick nickle vs. a slow dime". Also, in this price range, their margins have to be higher.

apclassic9

Tell your wife what you'd like for your birthday, early!

Bikepacker67

Why do you have to justify how you spend your money?

apclassic9

sounds like a single person

v1k1ng1001

Selling bikes isn't like selling cars, especially when the customer's 6'7" and wants a high end frame. If the shop can actually get their hands on a 64cm frame, I'd just be happy that I wasn't paying for a custom bike. You're already getting 10% off, so negotiate a discount on accessories.

I would just explain all of this to your wife and then tell her how hot you're going to look once you start riding every day.

Bill Kapaun

If you lie to your wife AND she finds out, she'll be reminded every time she sees that bike. That means you'll be reminded every time....

wahoonc

That thing was ancient... of course she needed a new one! FWIW according to my techie brother that is the average life expectancy of a laptop, assuming it has been treated well. I can usually nurse one along for about 4 years, but by then the software and hardware are usually unsupported.

Back to the OP...don't hide it from the wife...negotiate, budget, do something. I get a monthly line item for bicycle money, and I get a weekly allowance (we both do). If I want something bad...like a new Brompton, I have to a) save money from my budget and allowance and usually have to give up on something else.

I also think the 10% off is a good deal, especially on a custom order. They will more than likely have shipping costs on it too.

Aaron

operator

Note to self: don't get married

v1k1ng1001

I'm with you.

idcruiserman

Just don't have stepfam's marriage.

javna_golina

There's something really pathetic about a man who needs approval from his wife.

If I ever get married it's going to be one of those 1950s type marriages.

Cyclist0383

And I bet you'll have one of those 1960s type divorces.

soze

Dang. I ended up building my guy a bike out of my own cash and I still have the 3yo notebook. I think I like the symmetry of your relationship better.

Stacey

I don't tell my S/O how to spend HER money, nor she mine, but we do discuss how we spend OUR money.

why2not

LOL. This thread got pretty funny with the single guys chiming in

Hopefully you and your wife already have come to an agreement about how finances work. If not, I suggest you do so. It is after all a partnership & there should be some sort of arrangement. It's not like you would have a business partner & hide/lie about money with him/her would you?

If you've been able to save money by reducing your other expenses (maybe you've been buying $4 lunches instead of $8 & saving the difference), then what harm is there in revealing that to your wife? "honey, I've been XXXing so that I can buy a bike that fits me better and now have $$$ extra that I want to put to the purchase".

If, on the other hand, your kid's teeth are falling out because you can't afford toothpaste & you've been stashing money, you've got bigger problems. I'm firmly with the "don't lie to your wife" camp, without trust, what kind of marriage is it?

javna_golina

*shrugs* better than being chained to some menopausing slave driver.

Cyclist0383

Why do I picture you at 50 years old eating Heinz Baked Beans out of a can, and having bits of bean stuck in your beard?

Bionic Pammy

Geez, javna, you've just got to find a good one. We have a great marriage. My husband and I both got new bikes this year and his is worth more than mine. That doesn't bother me - oh wait a second - my birthday is in 2 days. Ka-chingggg!!!!!

javna_golina

I'm not saying all women are horrible, I'm just saying it would take very exceptional circumstances for me to marry, and I would rather be single than have a woman tell me what to do.

Pretty reasonable, no?

javna_golina

I fully plan to be a roady when I'm 50. I'll be riding what will then be considered and 'old school' bike (STI shifters, not the new telepathic ones, sloping top tube, only 20 gears and not 48, etc), in very tight lycra, disturbing and dropping soft young folk on their new contraptions.