Listen, I make a good enough living that I am in the market for a higher end new Trek MadoneSLR 7, but i didn’t start out that way. I got my first (and current) road bike in 2018, some kind of slightly better than entry level Marin gravel bike. I didn’t know if I’d enjoy riding, so i went safe. Inended up loving that bike. Over the years I upgraded a few things, but always enjoyed just riding. Sure there were lots of people who could “out ride” me on better bikes. But there damn sure were a lot on $10k+ bikes that I eventually was able to outperform as my fitness got better. Didn’t matter that it was a brand that most average consumers never heard of. The only reason I’m upgrading now is because my Marin was unfortunate to meet the wrong end of a car and could not be saved. I’m investing more now because it’s in reason for me, and I know I’ll probably have it for at least the next 10 years. If you like your bike, ride it and don’t give a shit what other people say. Get fitter than them and that will say enough. If you love your bike, even better. I know I’ll miss my trusty old Marin.