My gear works just fine. What your talking about is nothing more than a "status symbol". I run into this mentality ALOT, TOO MUCH in fact. Talking about how your not a cyclist cause you don't have "bike specific" gear. SCREW THAT!!!!! I am out there 7 days a week 365 days a year putting in over 6000 miles a year all OUTSIDE MILES and yes with my WAL-MART gear. Cycling is about PUTTING RUBBER TO PAVEMENT not about having the "bike specific" gear or the latest crap.