[ineedasername]

Most professionals in sports are paid by gear manufacturers to have a specific opinion.

There's a much better path here: Don't develop preferences until you have enough experience to make informed decisions.

[0_____0]

I think we're saying the same thing. I meant taking advice on where to enter gear-wise from not professionals, but personal friends who ride at a level that's maybe 95-98% in the sport (but still far from pro)