Same with mountain biking. If someone starts riding trails on the cheapest, or near cheapest option, they're going to at best have a bad enough time to be diss

Same with mountain biking. If someone starts riding trails on the cheapest, or near cheapest option, they're going to at best have a bad enough time to be dissuaded from doing it, and at worst actually end up hurting/endangering themselves or others. Not to say you need to run out and buy the most expensive bike one can, but there's certainly a balance to be had.