For me Lance Armstrong’s first book was an inspirational reading experience. Initially, I thought that the title means that his performance was not determined by which bicycle, but hid effort, training and talent, so called the engine. But I realized, that the book is not about bikes. It is about a life journey to hell and back. This is at least my interpretation.
Nevertheless, this phrase is often used in cycling circles using the literal meaning of it. Are you lot also getting fed up hearing it?
I read Lance’s book also and came to the same conclusion as you did. When they say “it’s not about the bike” on this forum I’ve always assumed they mean it’s really about the engine. We can buy “free” speed with the aero gizmos (hardly free since they cost big $$), but you’ll go faster working on the engine than by adding on the doodads.
yeah, baby, it’s all about the bike. No matter the rants about poseurs on this forum…cycling is one place money can definitely buy performance (and, in the case of me and my Pinarello, happiness).
Which is not to say that a super fit guy on a 40 lb Huffy can’t beat an overweight weekend warrior on a Seven, so save your flames. But that guy on the Seven is doing a lot better than he would be on the Huffy.
Too bad good running shoes can’t have the same impact…
I’m that fat over 40 guy on the nice bike that all the non-swimmers pass at IM races! I got the bike so I could go as fast as I can.
I don’t care that (name your favourite pro) can outride me on my sisters old 10speed compared to me on a nice bike. I am faster on a nice bike than I am on a crap bike. End of story.
I’m not rich but I can scrape together enough bucks for a nice bike easier than I can lose 15kg so I do it! Three cheers for chocolate!!!