The image

[AndreZA]

On a serious note. I went from a 5K MTB to a 25K MTB and the difference was HUGE. About 6kg lighter and everything worked better and when the going got tuff they still worked.I still have the 5K MTB and ride it from time to time. And the Diff ist still Huge.

 

 

 

Dick, did you go from a cheap HT to an expensive FS bike? The obviously you will feel the difference.

 

 

 

Take a cheap frame and change from Deore to XT and you will feel some difference, but not R10k worth. Take a Deore equiped alu HT and change the frame to a carbon HT and you will feel some difference, but not R10 worth. Now change from a alu HT with deore to a carbon HT with XT and there will be big difference, but still not worth the R20k extra. The rider has to change first. What does it help if you can not ride 10kms but buy a better bike to make up for your of fitness/skills.

[Edition 507]

Only people with cheap bikes say it makes no difference 'cos they know no better. Have you ever heard of people downgrading performance equipment?

Here is a challenge, why don't the sceptics ride a R50,000 bike for the first half of a race and then swap to their R10,000 bike for the second half and lets see if their opinion is the same afterwards.

[fandacious]

Only people with cheap bikes say it makes no difference 'cos they know no better. Have you ever heard of people downgrading performance equipment?

Here is a challenge' date=' why don't the sceptics ride a R50,000 bike for the first half of a race and then swap to their R10,000 bike for the second half and lets see if their opinion is the same afterwards.

[/quote']

 

i've got a 40k road bike, and a 4k mountain bike.

 

In retrospect, the money spent on the roadbike was a waste. I could still come middle of the bunch on a 15k road bike

[AndreZA]

Only people with cheap bikes say it makes no difference 'cos they know no better. Have you ever heard of people downgrading performance equipment?

 

Here is a challenge' date=' why don't the sceptics ride a R50,000 bike for the first half of a race and then swap to their R10,000 bike for the second half and lets see if their opinion is the same afterwards.

[/quote']

 

 

 

I'm downgrading my bikes because it does not make a difference to my performance .....and to save money on insurance.

[roadrulesok]

Ah, maybe Lance will be about a minute slower on the second half. Us normal guys (exept you) about three minutes. The quick and cheap way to save weight, stuff less down the pie hole , work harder on the road. I will not win the argus, if ever 2 kg ( about 30k) will make me win I will gladly spend it. My point still stands, is it about performance or is it to try and make a image statement! True cyclists unite!!!!

[dollar]

I see that most of us say "because they can". I probably would too "if I could".

 

Many factors come into it. The way I ride I dont need a top bike. I dont race. I am however finding that my chinas are leaving me a tad behind - on their fancy bikes. I ride vintage. At the same level of fitness I am going to have to get a bike that compares better with theirs. But I wont have to spend R100k because it's not that important to me.

 

It is important to others - every second counts. Good luck to them! What is a tad amusing are the old farts (like me) with the R100k bikes who are only as fit (or less) as me. Ha Ha - an old Armstrong (not Lance) 5 speed would be enough

 

[ASTANA]

 

Same goes for houses cars and clothes. Why wear a levi when you can buy at woolworths or pep. Why ride a Merc or BMW when you can ride Volkswagen or Honda. Why live in a R4mil house by the see when you can go much cheeper closer to work or whatever.

 

Not all image you know. Just becuase you can!! Its not always a matter of trying to be better' date=' just if you like it and can afford it do it.

 

Some ppl will put more money into food, or clothes or cars, while others would think its a waste do eat out everynight of ride a milion rand car. Or a 50K bike for that matter.

 

People have different opinions on spending patterns and that does not make it wrong to spend on what you love.

 

just my opinion - obviously there will always be posers out there too. Just live with it

[/quote']

 

I agree with u ASTANA, was having lunch with some ladies a couple of weeks ago. Buy this eye cream it does amazing things R800.00 for 1 month, and look at this leather bracelet with a bit of puta in itR3000.00, and I looked at my cycling buddy, and said and she agreed i rather spend it or put it toward a better pair wheels.

 

You dont have to be a super model to wear a pair of jimmy choo's and i dont have to be a great rider to ride a cervelo. There is nothing nicer when you change gears and its smoothe and no noise at all, just beautiful engineering. my 2c

Dura ace on the cervelo diffrence of a few grams, same performance. Ultegra on 10k  bike same performance slightly heavier. worth 40K? 

 

 

Your missing the point man. For you its not worth it, for someone else it means alot. I ride a Toyota Tazz -  does everything I want from a car - form Point A to Point B - cheap and enough for me, on the other side. I love cycling, want do ride a nice bike and nice kit etc.

 

Take a watch for instance. People buy 20K + watches because they can, same watch for R100 does the exact same thing - show time and date.

 

I don't even have a watch - thats not important to me. Got time on my cellphone. Would rather spend on a HR monitor - also shows time. Get my point?

 

People differ, that's what makes life so great. other wise everyone would spend on the same stuff.

 

One guy race with a 10K bike - does not take anything away from him - spends on something else. Other guy cruise on a 80K bike - he loves it.

 

Thats life dude

 

[Edition 507]

This topic has been discussed ad nausem on the hub. Each to his own in the end really.

[STEEL Niner]

The crow makes a good point of spending wisely. ALso no one has mentioned the experience or fun factor, but alot about performance and still being able to finish mid pack or whatever. But drop some money on decent wheels for instance and the Experience of the acceleration is awesome, training or racing, change form alu to carbon on a mtb and the "wood" feel is a different experience. It does not have to be about performance but rather just how it rides......... and what you get out of it, should not be about image but society dictates otherwise, like it or not.

[scotty]

I got a good deal on my road bike , for the price i paid there were other bikes for sale at the same price but not in the same league, no guessing why i chose it. Some cyclists are snobby, i recall doing my 1st race on a R399 makro special and getting funny looks.

[roadrulesok]

Wearing these stupid slip over socks on your cycling shoes, boy please explain that one to me. Shaving still has merit, but that.......

If that is not a huge hunger for image  than i don't know.

 

 I know what you are saying , I would easily spend 30 k on a IWC because I know what it is and the person who notices this really knows what the true value is. But you will get someone who will spend 200 rand on a a fake gold rolex, for the image in other words- he is trying to show the world he is something he is not.

Maybe we should speak to the east and start producing fake cervello's fake Pinarello's etc. For those who need the image.

Keep cycling for the true spirit of the sport, not for some damm fashion parade. real cyclists unite.

[swoosh1973]

If you think those slip over socks look stupid then wait til you see the first average Joe with compresion socks....... man i dont care what benfits those give.

If it aint ganna help u win the race then rather just enjoy the sensation of soreness knowing that you had a good work out.

[ASTANA]

 

Wearing these stupid slip over socks on your cycling shoes............

 real cyclists unite.

 

 

WTF this is so lame

[roadrulesok]

Wearing these stupid slip over socks on your cycling shoes............

 real cyclists unite.

WTF this is so lame

 Does the first option work for you buddy? roadrulesok2009-05-18 02:05:45

[Alida]

I saved up for a long time and then also set myself a goal - if I could do a certain race under a certain time then I felt I deserved the bike I have.  After the 94.7 last year I bought my Look.

 

So to each his own really - some people really feel the benefit (the pros), some people just want what they want.

Alida2009-05-18 02:10:10

[CAAD4]

Sounds like you have some issues. There will always be people that have better equipment than you that will be slower than you. They will think your'e a prat with your 30k IWC  because their Festina still looks good and also happens to tell the time. Live with it, and you might lighten the burden on your shoulders and ride a little quicker up the hills on your Makro bike, knowing you have a better watch than them..