Originally Posted by
3alarmer
...have you ever participated in sailboat class racing ? Where the boats are all specced similarly and everyone races against a similarly outfitted field of contestants ? Did you enjoy it any less ?
This is , in essence, the exact sentiment (expressed over tubeless tyres, IIRC
) that put me on your "do not call list". Which is fine, no sweat. But when you define "bicycling" for every person in the whole wide world in terms of your own needs and desires as an amateur age class racer, mocking is just one of the things you're gonna have to come to accept. Sorry, but that's how it is.
Heck, even the pros get mocked pretty regularly. Why should it be any different for anyone else ?
Aw, you miss my point entirely.
Never have I suggested that anyone who wants to be a casual cyclist should do anything other than be a casual cyclist, or have any equipment other than that appropriate to casual cycling. When someone asks a question about the difference between a Stages PM and an SRM power meter, for example, I'm happy to answer the question with facts, to let people know the differences between the units and what those differences will cost in real dollars. I'm the first one to point out that for most people, the expense is probably not worth it. The point is to non-judgmentally relay the information so that the person asking the question can make an informed decision for his/herself.
I have zero issue with you and I disagreeing over the pros and cons of tubeless tires, and you have never been on my do not call list. If you feel justified, however, in mocking me because you choose to mis-characterize my point of view, because you want to believe that I'm telling every person on BF that they should be exactly like me and make all the same equipment choices that I do, well I guess you can hardly expect the same level of warmth in any exchanges between you and I. Honestly, I harbor you no ill will but if you choose to mock, I will choose to ignore.
And to answer your sailing question: Nope. Never raced our boat in a class race. Why? Because we are casual cruising sailors. So I totally get the distinction between engaging in something to be seriously competitive and doing something casually. Both are enjoyable and each requires a different level of attention to the details of performance-oriented equipment.