I don't get this mindset that you need to be a racer to appreciate a nicer ride. Whether it's a nice Italian steel frame, Ti, carbon, or whatever. Granted, if you can't tell the difference between a cheap bike and a nice one, or if you can but it doesn't matter to you; then the extra money spent is just wasted. But you definitely don't need to be a racer to be able to discern a difference.