happyscientist wrote:
Everyone I know has done at least one group ride where someone has shown wearing a t-shirt or threadbare jersey and riding a 30 year old bike with downtube shifters and kicked some serious ass. I have a friend who is a former pro rider. He didn't ride on any big teams, and he never won any races, yet I have no doubt that I could go out on my favorite road bike, put him on a mountain bike, and he would drop me like a rock, especially on the hills--that skinny guy can climb.
You don't need a fancy bike to race, but it makes it nicer, and if you can afford it, there is nothing wrong with buying a fancy bike.
Couldn't agree more. I used to see a guy on a bike trail with an old steel frame, downtube shifters, wearing a t-shirt, cotton shorts, no helmet just flying down the path.
I have a 2014 cervelo p2 which, for me, is more comfortable than my road bike. It just feels like a smoother ride. I have a jamis ventura race road bike which is just entry level. It's nice and I enjoy riding it but the feel is so much different than my fancy bike.