"so i have this conception that most of the posters on that forum are mid-aged men who haven't the first clue as to what a bicycle is... the same kind who walk into a bike store, get sold on a 1500$ bike, buy 500$ in additional accessories, fall off the instant they ride out the store, and give up the sport a week later."

This is as much the fault of the shop. Part of our purpose is to educate, not just sell stuff.