Originally Posted by
Doug5150
It's because they have been suckered in to the common bicycle salesmanship method.
Among upright bicycles of the same basic type, there's generally not a great deal of actual difference. The basic shape of the parts is all the same. So the only argument for upgrading that bike companies can make is that a more expensive bike will weigh less, and therefore it will "work better".
~
There is certainly truth in what you say but what is your objective?
If you have a finite objective (I want to bicycle to work) bicycle weight probably won't matter very much. If your objective is more subjective (I just want to have fun) a lighter bicycle will have a livlier feel because it will accelerate more quickly and consequently be more fun to ride. Even just thinking about owning or riding a nicer bike adds to the fun.
I have a couple of different road bikes - an early 90's steel frame Bridgestone that weighs around 24 pounds and a 2000 Klein that weighs around 19 pounds. Frankly, there isn't anything that I'm capable of doing on the Klein that I can't get done on the Bridgestone but I still find the Klein, in itls own way, to be more fun to ride. I think that fun is worthwhile. YMMV.