Chiming in here, (WITH my still-bad eyes). I still feel like a poseur (sp?) even if I'm in my gear, on my road bike.

My issue? I REALLY REALLY want a nice new carbon bike and I can afford one now and I've ridden this one for two years and worked really hard to get better so I think I actually deserve a good bike BUT I am a little self-conscious about buying an expensive bike because of the expectations that I feel goes with it. I'm afraid people will expect me to be better and faster than I am, and then they'll think of me as a Fred.

But it's not enough to stop me from buying a new bike.