[QUOTE=MrMittens;7412195]Outmoded? Passe? Downright archaic? To actually believe in the power of the rider and not the bike in this day and age? I can honestly say that I've never looked for that extra edge in equipment to keep at the front of the pack with my friends or passing folks on the road and on centuries. I have happily ridden a mountain bike for the entirety of my road cycling life until recently and excuse my hubris but it's made me a damn strong rider.

Sorry 'bout the rant, but does anyone else feel strongly about this?[/QU

You`re treading into dangerous territory here...putting forth the idea that a strong, fit rider might trump the guy who puts more time into buying the hottest new thing and not enough time into riding his bike. I agree with you. Heartily.

Of course, technology is a benefit. Put freakishly fit people together (as in professional cycling), give one a high end bike and the others early 80`s technology...you`ll find differences. That said, the guy dragging around 20 percent body fat, blaming his poor climbing on last year`s wheelset is, well...

But really, what`s it matter? They`ve got the money, they enjoy buying cool stuff, they`re riding their bikes.