>It has nothing to do with familiarity with equipment. For a cyclist who has never, or rarely, used downtube shifters, I think that could be a factor, I have only been on a bike with downtube shifters a few times and it was straight out scary. For better or wrose, I came of age with integrated shifting.
>he'd beat me by 45 seconds. If you are racing, it 100% no doubt matters-- but I dont race and I am willing to bet that most people out there dont either. I like to ride with others and I dont beat them b/c I am not racing them, or in competition with them. Your example also negates the fitness of the rider. But, I agree, if you on an old bike were in a race against yourself on a new bike, you would lose (and win, so that is nice). And you would win (and lose) by a lot. I love bike racing, I just happen to not do it or really want to do it and I think it is sad when the majority of the informaion out there makes it sound like that is all that exists. When $5,000 is a middle of the road enthusiast level bike, and the mags say "buy carbon if you possibly can", I think we all are the worse for it. I hope somehow- somewhere-somewhy bikes like the Roadeo, the Allez, the Raleigh Clubman, etc can begin to turn things back the other way. At least a little. Cheers! cm --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
