Originally Posted by ovoleg
everyone here who thinks that bike doesnt make a difference hasn't ridden a nice bike compared to a POS
But no one was comparing a nice bike to a POS; they were comparing a steel frame to a carbon frame. If it's a nice steel frame compared to a nice carbon frame (and assuming all other factors are equal*), very little difference. If it's a POS steel frame compared to a POS carbon frame (and assuming all other factors are equal*), again, very little difference.
If it's a nice frame compared to a POS frame, you're comparing apples to oranges, which is pointless and stupid.
(* Heh... That old "all else being equal" can o' worms will destroy even the most well-intentioned comparison. Quit now.)