Your expensive upgrade is a waste of money.

Why do we spend thousands on carbon fibre and ceramic bearings, only to watch a bloke named Dave on a 20-year-old rattle-can bike fly past us on the local climb? In this video, I’m breaking down the massive myth of marginal gains and why chasing 1% improvements is a complete waste of time and money for the everyday cyclist. We've all fallen into the bike industry's clever marketing traps—obsessing over tire pressure, expensive aero overshoes, and shaving grams off components while ignoring the obvious truth. Today, we’re exposing the expensive placebo effect of modern cycling consumerism and looking at where real, free speed actually comes from: consistency, bike handling, and upgrading yourself instead of your gear. Before you drop £500 on your next upgrade, watch this. Work with me: [email protected] SUBSCRIBE for more cynical, honest, and cinematic videos on cycling culture and intentional living:    / @leonardmlee   JOIN THE NEWSLETTER: Sign up for my free monthly newsletter circle for deeper stories, thoughts, and reflections behind the videos: https://www.jollygoodvelo.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The Legend of Mate Dave 1:27 - The Polo Mint Placebo Effect 3:07 - The Fiat Punto with a Racing Stripe 5:27 - The Stinger: The Classic Weight Weenie Trap 7:18 - Where Real (Free) Speed Comes From 8:08 - Enjoying the Ride vs. Buying the Hype If you enjoyed this video, drop a comment below—I read every single one. What is the most expensive, useless piece of cycling gear you've ever bought? Let's have an honest therapy session in the comments. #MarginalGains #CyclingUpgrades #BikeIndustry #RoadCycling #GravelBike #CyclingPhilosophy #CyclingHumour #WeightWeenies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Social Media: Jolly Good Velo Facebook Group:   / 239075813411056   Strava:   / strava