Originally Posted by podman

and i don't see anyone doing what you imply is being done.
now we all know there is a huge elitist element in cycling but even in the roadie forum i don't recall seeing anyone shunned for having a cheap bike... however i can recall numerous posts where the agreed points were along the lines of conditioning being the focus, not the bike.
where are these threads where this other thing has happened?

i find it is more likely that the owner of the cheap bike resents the owner of the expensive one... not necessarily in an envious way, although i am sure there are those that fit that bill, but more in a cultural way.
i might be wrong but i don't believe these roadie ostracizers exist... at least not in any significant way. there are certainly some blowhards in recreational cycling that love to spend money but not all that spend money are blowhards.