After you spend that much extra, I assure you would swear the differences are massive.

the idea that one shouldn't take their hobby 'seriously' unless they're a pro is the height of self centered stupidity. do what you want. then mind your own farking business.

although I haven't been there in quite a while, I did poke around in a site for people who play the instrument that I have played professionally for over 25 years.

A lot of them do not make a living playing it whereas I do. I would never think to discourage, disparage or ridicule them. Those who do go directly into the ******* category.

There have been a scant few who can keep up with us on certain gigs. They do not get looked down upon.

I agree with gsteinb 100%. If you take your racing seriously, the idea that it's somehow stupid because you haven't been on some team that gives you 20k a year plus a bike is ridiculous.

I have made some furniture pieces for money. I have also made more of them for nothing. I do not consider myself a professional furniture maker. Do I take it seriously?

Shhhh! Such posts will destroy the carbon fiber water bottle cage industry.

I love it when fatties tell us that we all need to lose five pounds. I'm at 8% body fat in the winter. Speak for yourselves.

That's my point... ounces are not worth dollars.

Unless you're talking about wine or gold!

Works for me, Chuck. I'll buy the first round!

Ok

I raced with "this guy" only 5 weeks after he broke 5 ribs, collarbone and punctured lung. And both of us are the same age, plenty to have heard that particular song when it first came out.

I don't think there's any way you could NOT notice a 4 pound weight reduction OP. Also, like JoelS said, loosing rotational weight on the wheels is a reduction that you certainly will notice.

I've changed out a lot of stuff on my bike, 3T bars, stem, seat post, new wheels, saddle, skewers, brakes, top cap, bar end caps, etc. While some of those make a noticeable difference in how the bike rides and/or handles, and some are just weight reduction when I went through that stage, the wheels made the most drastic night/day difference for me.

Well...my apologies then! And join us in Louisiana so we can talk trash about each other.

Taking anything too seriously is not a good idea for some of us. But I can only tell you what works for me. What works for anybody else is none of my business, and passing judgement about that is dumber still.

Man, this thread went downhill fast.

Well, once you start descending, heavier is actually an advantage.

Based on the standard presented you take this too seriously.

. . and drink some good beer with us and we'll ALL get "comfortably numb"!

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

Even though the comment wasn't directed at me, I'll go on record as saying I'm old enough to know the words to Comfortably Numb as well as everything else produced in the 70s, which is around the same time I became a Saints fan. Geaux Saints!!!!

ok

In my experience, people who feel the need to point out how calm they are are never calm.

5'8. 125 pounds. I don't know what my body fat percentage is, but I don't think it's very much. I'm not losing anything, thank you very much.

+1

I'm happy being at 30% body fat.

Oh relax.