Look, we all get GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). You’d be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t. We see a new bike and wish we could afford it. We eye a new drivetrain and dream of how much better it would make our ride. The truth is, most of us aren’t pros. Will it help us in some way? Maybe. But do we really need it? Probably not.
What I’ve found over the years with any hobby is that there will always be new gear we want. And that’s okay. What you need to keep in mind is why you want it. Will it really make a difference? It depends.
When it comes down to it, you really need to understand and know what you’re riding, inside and out. You’d be amazed at how much more that makes a difference than adding some new part.
In the world of cycling, we are bombarded with marketing left and right. It’s designed to make us want the next best thing. We have to stop and remember this. Just like when listening to your body while fueling, you need to listen and feel your bike and components. Understand what they are doing and whether you’re pushing them to their limits.
We all feel the peer pressure when people say, “Wow, I wouldn’t do it on that bike,” or “XYZ groupset is better for your bike.” We have to remember that these people are not us. They don’t ride like you do, and they don’t know your setup like you do. Just shake it off and know that until you break something or really notice that it’s not giving you the feedback you’re expecting, then maybe it might be worth getting something new or different.
So again, we all get GAS, but we have to not let it control us. Use it as a guide, not a rule. Happy riding!
Thank you to our 2024 Iceman Ambassador Gerald Gaecke @g_dub83_