No, the root of that kind of suffering is a desire to return to a state where such extremes of pain do not exist - or to be more precise, the memory of such pain - and since one cannot reverse time in such a way that the pain (or knowing such pain) magically goes away, one feels suffering at the sense of helplessness at not being able to do so.

Or you know, watching the remastered remastered version of the original Star Wars trilogy.

And here I thought it was the love of power....or fear of powerlessness, take your pick.

But OP, seriously, this bike thing? I'm really hoping that you have interests that go beyond bicycles (it's something I used to worry about myself.)

Granted, I'm not one to talk, since I just blinged out an entry level road bike, but we're all allowed to make our mistakes, right?

I've found that an innoculation of retrogrouchitis has protected me against the worst of upgradeitis. Now, the challenge is to quit hoarding obsolete parts.

Oh, yes.

I find that with excessive time on my hands right now I am obsessing with getting something I cannot possibly ride at this moment. It is driving me crazy but I try and keep in mind that its this free time that is causing me to think more about it than I should... I find it most hard not to spend money in the winter when all those deals are going on; like i really need ANOTHER seat post... This winter will be a trying time for sure.

In the short answer: no, it doesn't.

So the root of all suffering is...the actual suffering. Dude, I SEE it. Who knew? I've been so blind....

I believe obsession with upgradeitis depends on the person. I have been obsessed with modifying everything I have owned from the cradle and it became my livelihood...product development. I have another friend that simply buys a road bike and rides it. He is a good rider as well. He also performs 1/10th the maintenance on it I do...never takes the cranks off, re-cables the bike, rarely changes a chain etc.
So there are clearly many walks...as expected...the way society rolls.

Me? This winter I am obsessing about stripping the Campy 10s off my new bike and installing Ultegra Di2. This is part is to change my cassette to a 28t in back...Shimano has more cassette options...but that really is just an excuse...lol. I am also perpetually fiddling with my fit on the bike...a mm here and a mm there...always searching for the holy grail of best position 'for me' on the bike. There isn't any of course.

It appears you have a serious case of GAS... otherwise known as, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I sometimes go through this phase. What happens with me is I'll go into the local bike shop to buy stuff like spare inner tubes or new bar tape, and then I find myself browsing the clearance table looking for whatever. It's like, I don't really need anything, but I still like to look.

And that's part of the reason I've ended up with 40-something jerseys.

That's what makes people do things like golf and sailing. They forget about all the pain and misery and remember one isolated good part. For example, someone can hit 120 bad shots in a golf game but one good one. The good one is all they remember and think next time they will hit 70 more just like that. That's what keeps them coming back.

The same with cycling - it's the belief that buying that one thing that will make them faster, go longer, and feel better

Ride more so it reduces your cost per mile.....

I ride about 250 miles per week sice I got my cannondale in July, I really do love it. Most of my purchases have been clothing related as I started with absolutely nothing. Chamois shorts, shoes, wicking shirts, warm wicking shirts, wool, helmet. So atleast since I'm new all the things I bought were needs more than wants.

Now I'm at the point where I own enough stuff to be comfortable and my prioritys have changed to upgrades. Bought some speedplays(don't like them) now thinking about gp4000s or even lighter wheels. I've also been thinking about buying a carbon bike but I only have 1500 budget so that's not a great idea. I've always been obsessive in everything I do, cycling has been the same.

Kind of, maybe, but it's two different things entirely: you're comparing experiences versus material possessions. With golf, you're failing and failing, but imperfect shots are a norm. The only thing to remind you that you've had a bad shot are the score card and your memory; the card, you can erase, the memory, not so much. Golf teaches persistence, though: just keep trying and eventually, you'll get it right...somehow.

With cycling, it's just a matter of compulsive consumption, like you see a thing and envision a fantasy where it's on your bike and making you better. The material possession does no good unless you think it can benefit you, and of course, there's the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you buy something that you think is important. (Or maybe people who can easily afford things don't feel this, but when I can put enough money aside to buy a new seat or handlebars, I feel hella great about my purchase, simply because I can make that purchase. I've often heard the argument that money equals freedom: the more you have, the more you can do. Sometimes, you just do stupid things with it.) Of course, it can't because the only thing that can make you better is you; things can certainly help, but that's more or less tweaks to an already strong foundation. One of the implications that bothers me about upgraditis is that if you don't think you're going fast enough, you can always blame the bike instead of adapting to the situation.

No, it doesn't help.

What a crazy idea, you would have to start blaming the engine!

I'm content...

... with 6 bikes, most of them with Campagnolo, including a custom steel that I waited a year for.

I have a problem with every hobby I get into. I go full out until I have everything then get burned out. I am really trying to stay motivated with my cycling but at times I find myself making excuses for not riding. Having the group ride helps but its only one day a week and I don't really have any cycling friends yet. I also race dirtbike enduros so I am trying to balance between the two.

Honestly, if I had to get new road bikes, I'd get one with SRAM and one with Campy, just to know what they feel like.

For better or worse, I do believe the internet has increased the volume of the sirens song of materialism.

Very true.

Keel haul him!

I'm pretty satisfied. Tho I did get a new crank recently, oh, and a new pair of Assos bibs. Damn. Guess I'm never satisfied...

Some of you need to learn to meditate, a course in western philosophy, and a course in eastern philosophy.

Not all of us are swayed by the allure of chasing new cycling stuff.

Spend your money where you spend your time.

wtf are you talking about? You ride all over the ******* place on your bicycle (so Ive heard).
If cycling is your primary sport/hobby/form of relaxation/ addiction/ why wouldn't you want to spend your $$ there?

We're out of keels, but we got a new shipment of tar and feathers.