You don't need to, that said, there are a lot of riders that have more bike than they have the skills for. Sometimes I feel like I am in that category.
I just spent a weekend in Whistler at a mountain bike camp where a young lady on a maybe $1400 hard tail bike was rolling the same stuff I was on the rented $5k bike. She grew up riding Vancouver's north shore.
My advice for those looking to buy a bike that aren't already gear heads is:
1) Pick your budget
2) Test ride a bunch of bikes in that budget range
3) Pay attention to how the shop you test ride at is treating you -- you want a shop you are comfortable with
Fit of bike and how it feels to you is probably most important. If the bike you like is at a shop you aren't fond of, you can always use another shop for service.
I just spent a weekend in Whistler at a mountain bike camp where a young lady on a maybe $1400 hard tail bike was rolling the same stuff I was on the rented $5k bike. She grew up riding Vancouver's north shore.
My advice for those looking to buy a bike that aren't already gear heads is:
1) Pick your budget 2) Test ride a bunch of bikes in that budget range 3) Pay attention to how the shop you test ride at is treating you -- you want a shop you are comfortable with
Fit of bike and how it feels to you is probably most important. If the bike you like is at a shop you aren't fond of, you can always use another shop for service.