Interesting situation! Do we need this....

High end gear is not required to get great sound that is truly a pleasure to listen to. At least for most of us. I’m finding now that I didn’t need to buy a 75" 4k HDR TV either. It’s nice and I’m not complaining, but when I didn’t have access to it while moving and had to use an older 55" LCD with some noticeable color issues I was still having a great time. You don’t need a high end road bike to enjoy bicycling either. When we got jobs in bike shops after high school me and my friends upgraded to top of the line bikes of the time. After a few months of riding my friend asked me, "Are we really having any more fun than we were on our cheap bikes?" The answer was clearly no. You couldn’t possibly have any more fun than we had in terms of riding. But the new bikes were fun to put together, and there was some pride of ownership, and the new bikes required less maintenance, so we were inclined to keep them. Since then I’ve limited my expenses on bikes even though I’m still super enthusiastic. I’ve done the same with audio equipment, and video equipment. If I could easily afford the very best then sure, maybe, why not? But I’ve got no fear of missing out on what I’m really after. Epicurus said something along the lines of "that which we really need to be happy is free or at least easy to attain."

@asctim , I cycle a lot. When people ask me about bicycles, I say there are 4 very important things. 1) Geometry. A bike that fits you perfectly will be comfortable.  2) Shifters that work properly and reliably. No one likes to fuss with difficult shifters.  3) The most comfortable seat you can afford. 4) Bike shorts.   Carbon this and that, aero wheels, a pound here and there .... how many of us are fit enough, or racing such that it makes a difference?  I do advocate for tubeless tires though. Better rolling resistance with less tire pressure makes for a more comfortable ride.

Audio systems are similar. How many audiophiles have a room properly designed and treated to extract everything that the electronics or speakers can do or get the most out of the recording? Few. How many optimize their bass with subwoofers and rooms treatment and active bass management? More, but still few.

I do like my big TV, but that is only because my eyes are not what they once were. I can relax in the recliner where I like to sit and not have to squint when there is text on the screen.

@thespeakerdude

Totally agree about what’s important for a great bicycling experience. And I’m sold on the tubeless concept but haven’t implemented it yet. Next set of tires I’m going tubeless. My rims are tubeless ready.

You have a good point about the big TV. I use it for computing and it is very nice to see everything big and clear while I relax in the recliner.

@thespeakerdude

When it comes to cycling I’m a fan of the Rega philosophy - lightness.

Seriously, some lightweight bikes seem to ride themselves, whilst others not so light are a real slog.

And yet, I’ve known people who could ride those horrible heavy mountain bikes without complaint.

It goes without saying they would dismount and walk whenever they came to a challenging incline.

Mountain bikes have heavy wheels, or can, and you are paying a double penalty for rolling weight. It is not much of an issue on a road bike. The extra 15lbs I am carrying on my ass and elsewhere is where I need weight reduction, not my bicycles :-)