On the trail, other cyclists with beautiful, high tech full suspension bicycle and disc brakes are make their way on the downhill rocky trail, at high speed. The cyclist wanted the same full suspension advantage the other cyclists are getting. The cyclist bought a full suspension.
As my circle of cyclist friends gets bigger, the ride becomes faster, a lot faster. Most ride was on the road, the mountain biker will switch to a pair of skinny slick tires to keep up with friends, or to beat their friends. The cyclist lock out his full suspension buy lightweight parts.
Slowly, the 26" wheels and the suspension fork can no longer satisfy the desire for speed in the cyclist, the road bike will be the next investment.
On the road bike, in a group ride, to gain more advantage, the cyclist bought a pair of aero bars. He hope his aerodynamic advantage can help him go faster.
The cyclist picked up the other discipline like swimming and running, combined then and went for races.
After 10 years of racing, the cyclist looked back and hope he have the same joy of just exploring the trails. After 10 years, the triathlete, became a mountain biker again, he hop onto his hard tail with vee brakes and explore the trail. His hardtail may weigh 13kg, he is happy, because speed is not what he is after, fun is. It is easier to satisfy the urge for fun, then the urge of speed.
The life cycle of a cyclist, speed and fun don't mix.
