My reasoning is a version of what dkri said.
If a person wants a high end bike to ride and cruise around on, go for it.
One of my investment banker friends just picked up his and hers Specialized Roubaix/Tarmac rides for himself and his wife. Happy for him, can't wait to go out riding with him.
My problem is when guys who RACE purchase these high end bikes as if they are a substitute for the skills and fitness to be able to play the game.
But for me this goes all the way back to being a 12/13 year old BMX racer. My boys and I didn't have a lot of money, we raced in jeans and long sleeve t-shirts. But we practiced hard and spent out time on the track. Every spring it would be the same thing. Some spoiled kid would show up on the Redline with the best of everything, JT pants with factory Redline logos, matching checkered vans, Bell helmet...the whole nine. Then they leave the course crying after they got crashed out because they didn't know how to follow the racing line or how to protect their position.
When I used to play open court basketball as a middle schooler you saw the same thing. Dude shows up with the new Jordans that he just brought, has his Nike warmup suit, Nike sweatband for his dome...what, you never played in a league and hardly ever run full court? Well, you are in for a long night of being double teamed and getting your jumper slapped into the stands then.
I am dealing with a version of this now with my son and his soccer. He spends hours looking at soccer cleats, always wants the newest Adidas or Nikes (gotta have the kangaroo leather dad!). As soon as the UEFA cup ball comes out every year, he has to have it. Is he spending hours working on his off foot? Nope. Working on his foot speed? Nope.
Got no problem with people dropping mad loot on their sport. I have a problem with competitors (especially at the level 95% of us compete at) thinking that money will get them something that skills won't.
