Originally Posted by slide
I find (I"m new to bicycles) that all equipment oriented passtimes have those who are more concerned with the equipment than the pursuit or what you use the equipment to do. In photography we call these guys 'measurebators' because they get excited over lab tests of new lenses, camera bodies, flashes or whatever. The art of photography seems lost on them or maybe they feel that if only they had a camera which could capture at 8 fps instead of the current 5 fps they'd get that great shot. Meanwhile, working as a part time pro, I and my partner had a contest to see who could shoot the best photo using a disposable camera. We both got our pix sold and on calendars.
Probably most folks posting here are riding bikes which are technically better than which Merckx rode during his amazing career. Heck, I'd guess my bike is better than LeMond's. OTOH, I'm sort of a measurebator of bicycles myself because I figure I need an edge not supplied by my ability or talent.
Maybe we can coin a phrase here for those who are equipment instead of riding oriented: gruppo groupies.
My term is "Techno Weenie"
But others here use OCP
I'm with you on that. As an amateur photographer, and a professed Techno geek, I have felt both sides of the coin. I realize that better equipment may improve my chances of getting "The Shot", however I realize that just getting out there even if it's with a disposable camera, is closer to getting the shot, than the best equipment, sitting around not being used.
I suppose a person could just hold it and play with it "Pretending" to be all Pro
Enjoyment can be derived in just owning the Techno stuff too. I have a friend who is very much like that
