What is the deal with mediocre athletes having ultra expensive gear. I am/have been a ski instructor and mountain bike instructor as well as participating in many other sports, plus, I would love to start a sporting goods company later on in life, so I feel I can comment on this.

I have notice many people who apparently have more money than brains lately. Personally, I use crap gear until I get good enough to justify the expense of top of the line stuff.

I have a freind who bought a 3000 dollar mountain bike. I didn't know he mountain biked, so we went out this past weekend. He blows, I was waiting for him every 2-3 minutes. He can't ride for shit. I asked him why he got it and he said "might as well learn on the best". What the hell type of attitude is that.

I have also been seeing some new sportchek commercials. The slogan "if you look like a pro you feel like a pro" that's just not cool.

Where do these people get the idea that if you buy really expensive stuff, you will be better. I think they do it for show, maybe I am wrong.

Thoughts?

i bought some mid grade shin guards ($30) to play soccer and middle level cleats ($80), and in the second game i took a furious kick to the lower shin (still have a dent in my tibia and no feeling after six months) and i feel that the shin guards saved me from a lower leg fracture, i dont know what the $100 shin guards could of possibly done to make the damage any more lessened. Plus the greater than crap quality of my cleats probably saved me from a few ankle sprains on uneven turf. Sports equipment in a lot of rights=sports safety equipment. Some people are only satisfied with the best when it comes to protecting themselves, so they pick up the most expensive equipment thinking $$$=safer, i personally like whatever is enough to adequately protect me from serious injury without causing serious injuries to my wallet.

It's harder for a newbie to tell the difference between good and bad equipment so they will often think to buy "the best" just to make sure they have something decent and lots of shops/salespeople are more than happy to oblige with high-priced stuff. It's truly crazy with bikes and has gotten to the point where practical equipment is hard to come by at any price. Everything must be ULTRA lightweight and/or made out of exotic materials -- often at the expense of utility and durability. Unless you've got 4% body fat you really shouldn't be worrying about how many grams your seatpost weighs or whether you need titanium axles. Lighten the engine first. Hell, in the last 2 months I've lost more than my bike weighs.

On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with buying expensive equipment imo, IF you understand your options and can afford it. I try not to be a snob either way. Don't hate your buddy just because he's got an expensive bike and hasn't "earned it" by being as good as you. Also (this from experience on both sides) unless it's understood that you're being competitive, travel at a pace that's doable for the weaker rider. It's just as aggravating to have your companion constantly pulling away as it is to wait for someone. Just enjoy the ride and train hard when you're alone or in a competitive group. And, if you tend think in terms of "he blows" or "can't ride for shit"; there are enough people with that attitude running shops already.

I don't get it...

Why purchase a $3000(CAN) bike if you don't know how to ride it? Can you even appreciate a full suspension and disc brake setup if you've never ridden a hard tail with standard brakes?

I'm with you that the purchase makes no sense but I wouldn't have bothered stopping every 2-3 minutes...I'd have ridden a couple miles and then taken a sit down break. But this is his money and he can spend it on all kinds of things he doesn't know how to use, maintain, or appreciate. I wouldn't bother riding with him again if it bothers you that much...but being dusted should motivate him to either sell the bike or become a better rider.

The bike thing is funny. I work up near Whiting Ranch (by Foothill Ranch in So CA) and quite a few of my coworkers ride their bikes during lunch or after work to and through Whiting daily. Anyhow, there are a few hardcore guys, each with multiple thousands of dollars invested in their bikes... Everything is carbon fiber, and everything is top of the line. One day a new guy said he wanted to ride with them, so he brought his bike in. At lunch I was hanging out waiting for some of my coworkers (to go eat... to hell with riding a bike when I'm hungry) when they all came out to head up to the trails. One of the guys started commenting about the new guys bike how it was a "piece of shit" and "too heavy" etc... WTF? Was that really called for?

In the end, the new guy was able to keep up with most of them on his "heavy piece of shit" and the others didn't say much. My point is, however, that even at this level... with grown men with professional careers there is peer pressure to have "the best." It makes no sense to me. That's one of the reasons I moved out of South Orange County. I was sick of my neighbors constantly playing the "mine is better than yours" game with me. I've never been into that whole thing as I was brought up in quite a humble household and I didn't want my kids growing up thinking that designer "this" and brand name "that" means more than anything else.

I hate that crap. There are some things I spend plenty of money on because I can tell the difference in quality and having the better quality item makes a difference in my life. There are some things that I can't tell the difference in (though I'm sure other can) so I'll buy what's "good enough." Here's an example... I always buy good quality shoes for me and my kids (my wife buys her own, and I'm afraid to ask "how much?") because I can tell the difference, and the difference makes my life better. However, when I buy jeans, I'll go to Mervyns only when the "High Sierra" brand is on sale for $18 (or whatever) because the times I've bought the expensive brand name pants they didn't make a fuggin' difference to me, and wore out at the same rate.

I don't own a bike anymore. I'm thinking about buying one though just to go riding with the Village Idiot (my son). I'll likely go to Costco or something and get something cheap because I really don't GAF if I have a great bike that only weighs 5lb with all the best parts simply because I'll never be able to extract out of myself what it takes to notice the difference between the two bikes...

Dammit... Now I really need a drink. Way too much thinking and analysis.

I have notice many people who apparently have more money than brains lately. Personally, I use crap gear until I get good enough to justify the expense of top of the line stuff.

Thoughts?
Now that you have a job, maybe you will be able to afford expensive gear too. It's his money, quit being jealous.

Now that you have a job, maybe you will be able to afford expensive gear too. It's his money, quit being jealous.

I am not jealous, I have a mountain bike that costs the same and one that costs twice that and two more that I can fling around. But the difference is, I started on a little huffy when I was a kid. I then got a stumpjumper (i think everyone has had this bike) and learned the nuances of the sport, you know, like how to ride. I learned about the physics of riding, proper techniques for different terrain etc. I appreicate the sport. He does not. He saw someone on television doing cool tricks and having chicks jumping up and down for him and thought "hey, that looks cool, im going to go buy that same bike and some riding gear and maybe i will be like that"

if he really wanted to learn, he knows I was an instructor and that i have a basement full of bikes and parts, he could have asked to borrow a bike, hell I could have given him one.

He has no clue why he bought that bike, how to use it, how to tune it or how to take care of it. That is what makes me mad.

I am not jealous, I have a mountain bike that costs the same and one that costs twice that and two more that I can fling around.
But you don't have a digital camera?

No, I want one. I keep saying I am going to go and buy one and never do. I have never taken any pictures of anything in my life. Just not a picture person. I keep talking myself out of it when I go to buy one.

I have a digital camcorder, but I rarely use that thing, so I can't see myself taking pictures of things. On the otherhand, everybody tells me that they take so many more pictures now because it's so easy with a digi camera. I have a PDA with a 1 megapixel camera, but I never use that either. And, I don't have a memory stick available for it, so I can't get the pics to my computer anyways.

:confused:

:confused:
we had this guy named matt on here once.....

hmmmm?????

Well I just did a user search for matt, and found that he was banned. I don't know why you mentioned him, feel free to elighten me.

I'm not calling BS on you, I honestly believe everything you have posted (really). Since matt deceived us here however, I am always just a bit suspicious when people make boastful claims.

Maybe you really are a handsome 6 foot 5 martial artist, ass-kicking PhD with 10K+ in bicycles, 26 suits, and a laundry list of women you bagged....I'll take your word for it.

But here is matt's story for your reading enjoyment. This is why we always want pics on the RX8club.com.

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=16962&highlight=stradale

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=17121&highlight=stradale

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17580

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=17609&highlight=stradale

haha. Point taken.

I understand your and any others concerns. The internet is an easy place to lie and certainly an easy place to gather the means to making those lies seem real.

I will admitt I have a hard time believing my life sometimes too, I have been incredibly fortunate. Some wise (read: lucky) investments I made with an inheritance afforded me many luxuries throughout my young life. Luxuries that many of my peers have done without. My own parents have a hard time believing the ease with which I seem to stroll through life. But, I appreciate everyone and everything I have, because one day I am sure I will fall on hard times, and when that day comes, I want to be just as happy as I am now. If I come accross as arrogant or spoiled or [insert attitude here], I apologize, I try very hard not too, but I have seen and done a lot, and I do enjoy sharing that with others.

And...

Do I really come accross as a man whore?? :eek: I certainly don't try too. If I do, I would like the clear the record, because I am far from it.

wait a minute.... you drive a 90k M3 right? Are you a super driver? Can you drive that car to its limit like a pro?... you always set yourself up for stuff like this :D

Just leave em alone... if they have the money... then why not? if they feel like it helps psychologically.....maybe it does.... or maybe it just makes them feel good. Whatever it is... who cares

Enjoy life

Do I really come accross as a man whore?? :eek: I certainly don't try too. If I do, I would like the clear the record, because I am far from it.
You seem like a cool guy, and I enjoy reading your posts.

I've never even SEEN a $3000 bike, but I forgot, the Canadian dollar isn't an American dollar. :p

No offense, shiggy. Just messing with you. :)

No, i do not have a used 60k M3 anymore.

No, i do not have a used 60k M3 anymore.

but you had one..... changes nothing

You seem like a cool guy, and I enjoy reading your posts.

I've never even SEEN a $3000 bike, but I forgot, the Canadian dollar isn't an American dollar. :p

No offense, shiggy. Just messing with you. :)

get into cycling and you'll see it in US dollars too

You seem like a cool guy, and I enjoy reading your posts.

I've never even SEEN a $3000 bike, but I forgot, the Canadian dollar isn't an American dollar. :p

No offense, shiggy. Just messing with you. :)

thanks man, and none taken.

just so you can see one...here is about a 5000 dollar bike USD, and no, I do not own one ;).

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?lYear=2004&bikesection=8841&range=159&model=10814

but you had one..... changes nothing

yeah, I know. I was just fanning the flames. But, in my defence, I am a pretty competent driver.

I just bought one of those! Only problem is that I don't have any mountains here. I'm kidding BTW.

My wife and I both have expensive golf gear and we both severely stink at golf, but we might as well get the good stuff and see if we can at least let the equipment fix some of the problems. I started out with a 30+ year old 5 iron that my dad had and could play every shot with it. Come to think of it, I was better with that club and a horrible swing than I am now that I am trying to do well and have nice equipment. I had nothing but old handed down toys and equipment until I turned 20 and got out of college, and I still have most of that crappy stuff and use it.

You are just a little jealous and angry that you couldn't have that when you started in the sport. I used to get the same feeling when I saw some HS kid in a 30k+ car, at least when I knew that they weren't paying for it! Just like when a kid that can't hit the broad side of a barn gets a top notch rifle and scope for Christmas, it sucks, and they still aren't a good shot but there's no use getting disturbed about it. Be happy for him and teach him what you can anyways, just be sure to let him know that the better equipment doesn't always make you better at the sport.

You are just a little jealous and angry that you couldn't have that when you started in the sport. I used to get the same feeling when I saw some HS kid in a 30k+ car, at least when I knew that they weren't paying for it! Just like when a kid that can't hit the broad side of a barn gets a top notch rifle and scope for Christmas, it sucks, and they still aren't a good shot but there's no use getting disturbed about it. Be happy for him and teach him what you can anyways, just be sure to let him know that the better equipment doesn't always make you better at the sport.

Ugh, I am not jealous. He is 28 right now, it is a little different situation then when I started when I was a child.

The whole point of this thread was to try to figure out why people think that great equipment will make them great.

and, of course I will help him if he asks, and will teach him to be better and use the great little bike he now has.

Old equipmant can, in some cases, make you perform below your ability. Therefore you get the better equipment so that you can push yourself to the limit. And you avoid the possibility of part failures and equipment malfunction.

The whole point of this thread was to try to figure out why people think that great equipment will make them great.
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like many other things in life, its psychological..... and if it works for them... great. If not.... well its their money to spend

I have seen it before at MTB races. I was at one around 98 or so and I remember this guy had a Trek Y-33 (top of the line FS yellow carbon fiber bike, $3000 in 98 dollars) with matching yellow Trek riding gear. He just hung around all day and never raced and kept his perfect yellow bike looking clean.

That Matt story was awesome. I am disappointed to that he deleted his postings.