Originally Posted by
Duane Behrens
I rode a $600 Univega alum hybrid daily for 15 years, enjoyed it, thought it was all I needed. Then I started riding with friends. Although I rode everyday and they only rode weekends, they dropped me on the hills with their carbon bikes. On their advice I eventually purchased a new, non-current Specialized Tarmac Comp Double for $2K - that is, $700 off list. It was something of a transformation in my capable range, speed and enjoyment. Astounding, actually.
That's comparing apples to coconuts, though. The reason that road-bikers dropped you on a
hybrid has almost nothing to do with the frame material or how much you paid for the new bike. I keep up just fine with people in my area on my $300 Craigslist steel.
Glad you enjoy the new bike, though.