OK, from all the discussion about frames, forks, components, gearing etc., etc. about what is needed to make a quality ride, isn't it more important to concentrate on yourself to be the quality part of your ride? I mean, I now, and always before when I started avid cycling, have heard people talking about who has the best components, newest stuff, lightest gear, and if you don't have that stuff you won't be a good cyclist. Personally I feel that what's more important is your bodily ability to be a good rider or racer. Do you think Lance wouldn't be the **** if he didn't have all that expensive state of the art equipment? I think he would still kick our butts on some old rickety heap. Now, I know that good equipment is an important factor in making cycling more enjoyable but I say instead of worrying so much about spending all the $$$ and be so concerned about the newest and greatest stuff to take some more time and worry about the training or improving strength and fitness. I don't know, what do you all think?

I prefer to just buy the equipment.

I think this question would be better posed to the road forum where you'll find more weight weenies. I find fixed riders to be much less caught up in the performance of their gear. Sometimes, even style trumps performance.

True. Style is also a great part and again not relying on equipment to do so ('cept your brain). I posted this on the road forum as well. Thanks.

and is that Andres Segovia? do you play classical guitar?

You can still buy the latest gear and get fitter at the same time; no reason they should be mutually exclusive. Building and upgrading bikes is FUN too!

That is Andreas Segovia. I have been playing guitar for about 25 years and classical about 10 of that. Are you familiar with classical guitar?

Sure you can. I feel that some people rely more on the equipment part of it though. I have fun upgrading too . . . my wallet doesn't though all the time.

I like beer. The bike is transportation that happens to be fun. Training is no fun that happens to transport you for no real reason. Furthermore, training is not drinking beer. Having nice parts is just to make sure everything works. It's hard to get to the bar on a broken craped-out bike.

Familiar yes, but not very well-versed or particularly good at it. I can't sight read but I have worked through some of the Tarrega exercises, written out in tablature.

Sorry......I'm a tinkerer and a gadget/equipment freak. Without nice components, cycling ain't fun for me...

Well, you know who Tarrega is so I think you are more versed than you think. I play several Tarrega exercises daily to keep them exercises flowing along with Carcassi and my favorite Sor. I play from Tab myself (though my peers curse me for it). I'm currently working on Bach's Chiconne. I have a good link for classical tab if you want it.

Some people, like myself, enjoy the pure cycling aspect as well as all the gear, equipments, etc... Of course I don't need an expensive bike to get fit and have fun - but it sure does help!

I'm the opposite. If neighbor-boy rolls up on a $4000 litespeed, I go get the 25 dolla Moto and smoke him on the hills. He's all show and no go. We both like cycling, but his brain tells him more money will make him faster.

$25 = paid @ Garage Sale. Value a'la Ebay for the components would be higher, but it's what you paid, not what it's worth.

I once heard a retired cycling coach say, "Before you worry about the 2 or 3 ounces to be gained by using lighter components, drop the 20 extra pounds off your butt."

While I use the best equipment I can afford, I do not replace components for weight savings. Of course I also acknowledge that I am a recreational rider seeking fitness, not a racer.

I call it "Upgraditis". You start out by cutting all your ties to the new fangled, hyped up products out there that supposedly make you ride better. You want to simplify your life and your riding. You decide on converting an old bike you have in the basement or one that you hope to find at a thrift store into that rigid singlespeed or fixed gear bike. You research online on how to convert your ride and try to do so using only the parts available to you in your used parts bin. Soon you're riding your new found friend everywhere, enjoying every damn minute of it. The silence of no derailleurs, the ability to concentrate on conquering that hill rather than on what gear you should be in. You're in heaven. Pure bliss. But somehow, something just doesn't feel right. You tire of having to adjust the Singulator on your SS or you're tired of your rear wheel slipping in your semi-horizontal drops on your fixie. You muster up enough cash to have fork ends welded to your frame. Now, that seems better. But then your SS's rear wheel, with spacers to adjust your chainline gives up. Or your Loctite and BB lockring won't hold anymore. Quick phone call or online purchase and you have yourself a new rear wheel. Heck, you even bought a matching front. Now your cranks are getting old so you upgrade those. Soon you're eyeing Spicers and Independent Fabrications or deBernardis or Iros or Milwaukee frames. Plastic toe clips suck. You upgrade to Egg beaters or top of the line clips and double straps. Soon your custom frame is being made to your specs and your specs only! You've come down with Upgradeitis!

Or you could keep buying thrift store bikes and upgrading, or shall I say, replacing parts as they break with new to you old parts from the LBS's used parts bin.

Either way, new parts or old discarded ones, a fat ass ain't gonna get you going faster. (Well, maybe on the downhills, but I digress). Whether you ride for fitness fun or to show off your new ti something or other, the factor that ties us all together is we all ride.