SoSmellyAir

In that case, it is up to you, maartendc, to organize a cycling event for just you and your friends (who do not want to partake in those organized events, i.e., bike shows) to show them how enjoyable cycling could be among like-minded people, even with "lesser" equipment.

Mojo31

Checking out the equipment of others happens in all amateur sports, be it golf, tennis, softball, bowling, sailing, skiing, or cycling. Part of it involves a level of envy, but I think most of it is more a matter of curiosity of what others are using or doing. My bike is middle of the pack, but for some packs it might be at the top and for others it might be at the bottom. But, I've never heard anyone complain about someone else at the event having better gear than them or that they couldn't keep up because their bike was not as expensive as someone else's.

Frankly, I don't see what the big deal is in looking at or talking about someone's gear. Sometimes it's just fun to see what is out there. Sometimes you learn about something that will make your riding more fun or safe, such as the Varia or better lights, or different chain lube methods.

It's all good.

PeteHski

But you have already stated that it doesn't put you off going to these events personally. Okay I get that you may have a few anecdotal stories of friends not wanting to show up because they don't think their bike is good enough. But let's be realistic, these are not the sort of people who would be going to big bike events anyway. I know plenty of people with older bikes who don't give a monkeys what everyone else is riding (just like you)

So what's your proposed solution? A ban on expensive bikes at bike events? Am I supposed to turn up on an old bike just on the off-chance one of your friends might be put off entering?

Koyote

Fancy bikes don't impress me. Even my own.

tomato coupe

It's a pretty big jump from not wanting to attend organized events to being turned off to the sport of cycling.

cyclezen

Don't think there needs a 'solution'.
my take on the initial OP was it's an observation. Didn't take it as a rant. Of course in subsequent posts comes the opinion. But that's ok also. We all have them, opinions, and we carry them everywhere we go. They only become a problem when they affect 'tolerance'.
Riders all have and make their own choices - the great thing about cycling.
The solution? Diversity, and cycling has that in spades these days. 'Inclusion' is what we all are able to bring to riding. That doesn't necessarily mean dragging others to do things they don;t want to do. Inclusion starts with a smile and maybe "A Great Day for a ride!" (even though it might not be our cuppa tea).
Ok, maybe thats the solution.
Ride On
Yuri

bampilot06

I want all the bikes, so yes bike envy does happen, but I also love 2 out of my 3 bikes so that helps.

SoSmellyAir

Very well said. This extends to any human activity, not just amateur sports. There will always be some who buy high end equipment to signal wealth or intent, and some who take equipment worship so far that it detracts from their own (and others') enjoyment of the activity; just ignore these people. Their overspending partly pays for the R&D which benefits everyone. As an inveterate tinkerer myself, curiosity >> envy.

Mojo31

There will also be people who buy high end stuff just because they can and enjoy it, and not to signal anything.

There will always be some with more and some with less regardless of where the line of demarcation is set.

I don't view spending on high end stuff overspending. The spending is good for the economy and development.

seypat

As stated previously, I ride vintage bikes. One yearly event I do is coming up next month. My tradition for that event is to acquire a different bike, fix it up and ride it. Usually the bike only gets a short shakedown ride to make sure everything works before the event. It's a century with lots of climbing, descending, etc. The ultimate blind test for the bike. Bikes from the early 70s up to the late 80s. So far I've yet to be disappointed.

SoSmellyAir

Right; I did not state that everyone who buy high end stuff necessarily (a) do so to signal wealth or intent or (b) overspend.

the sci guy 

I do a lot of t-shirt/charity/organized event rides in the spring here around Houston and I always love looking at everyone's bikes - because I love bikes. But I also love seeing the people who drop $6,000 on your typical carbon bike from the usual places, and then watch them on the struggle bus on the hills & in the wind. Meanwhile, my 5'5" self is pedaling past them at a nice consistent pace on my 1987 steel frame Cilo with original Shimano 600 groupset including friction downtube shifting. It's a rewarding feeling that no matter how much you let a bike shop sales guy sucker you into spending - it's still the rider that makes the difference. I never felt dirty or like a lower class citizen because I was on an old clunker - because to the people that matter they know it's not an old clunker at all - it's a gorgeous piece of vintage bikeness. And even if you do show up on a Walmart Special - good bike people will just be as happy as you that you're out there anyway.

tajimirich

I don't have bike envy because it's purely a financial thing and i don't think there's much sense in comparing disposable income...

i'm envious, in a kind of contemptuous way, of cycling bodies, particularly the Japanese guys who like to whizz by me up slopes... i weigh about 30g more than them so, like, what's the point in buzzing by me?

if i ever get down to my target weight i'll still be heavier than all of them.. sadly if i ever go to le tour i'd have to content myself with sprint wins and the odd breakaway in the first couple of weeks...

still, it's got to be said, climbing up hills and the like is definitely gonna be easier when u weigh 60-odd kilos and have the body fat of a japanese club rider who trains all year round- so yeah, i envy their genes

seypat

I see plenty of people with bike enve. It's hard to miss when huge logos are in plain sight.

SoSmellyAir

You mean 30 kg? So you are contemptuously envious of lighter Japanese guys climbing much faster than you?

PeteHski

It was a rhetorical question of course. I don't think there is actually a real problem here that requires a solution. I agree the original post was posed as an inoccent observation, but I could see straight through that, lol. I haven't personally witnessed any bike envy at organised events from those riding older bikes. Everyone just seems happy to be there. Yes there are often many expensive bikes around, but I see a wide variety of models too. For every S-Works build I see, there are plenty of budget builds and the odd vintage bike.

Seattle Forrest

There was a bike boom during the covid lockdowns. Bike shops sold out of everything and did very well for themselves, people said it became very hard to find any bikes at all. So it makes sense that a lot of new bikes would be on the road.

caloso

You love seeing people struggle during a noncompetitive event?

WhyFi

Only if the people that are struggling are suckers that got taken at the LBS, which is apparently anyone that rides a nicer bike than him.

tajimirich

almost more like them buzzing past me extremely quickly and checking back over their shoulder

either way it's certainly a bit lame on my part

SoSmellyAir

No worries, it is all in good fun. Maybe they are merely surprised that a gaijin who is not on the World Tour is ascending Mt. Fuji, albeit at a slightly less brisk pace.

tajimirich

haha true that, they aughta see me rocketing down the other side the great ones make them wait hahaha

big john

When a little featherweight passes you, just do what I do, challenge them to a Greco-Roman wrestling match.

tajimirich

paint the roads red

...

the guy who most recently triggered me went a bit up the road then stopped behind a truck because he didn't want to ride in the median and blocked my less-picky way around the traffic... my wahoo chirped at him angrily and he winced... i cruised away with a grim smirk, once that traffic finally roared off... i think i won that one

SoSmellyAir

Sorry, their advantage during the climb far exceeds your advantage on the descent, so they won't be around. Next time when they pass you, just engage them in a discussion about how much work it takes to shave your manly leg hair.