Originally Posted by
drlogik
"It's not the bike, it's the rider".
It's the same in every sport. One can buy the most expensive custom-made golf clubs and 99.99% of the golfers out there still could not beat a top 100 pro golfer. Baseball bats, same deal. Tennis racket, same. Bikes, same.
You're better off riding with riders that are better than you and learn from them rather than spend $X,XXX,XX dollars for a new bike. If you spend $3,000.00 dollars for top-flight golf lessons, you'll play better than if you just go out and spend the same for new clubs.
I do think riding a featherweight bike will improve performance and demand less work.
That is why I ride a $200 bicycle that is heavy and obsolete. I get a better workout than if I had a fancy easy to ride lightweight bike.
Otherwise, I agree with everything else you said. Equipment can never compensate for lack of skill and ability or practice.