Obviously, if you’re Jenny Rissveds or Viktor Koretsky, who both probably lost World Cup XCO races last week due to mechanicals, then you can legitimately blame the bike. In practically every other situation I’ve been in though, a gifted rider on a crap mountain bike will still beat a less skilled/fit one on a better mountain bike.
The power to propel more weight faster. The lungs to suck a summit down towards them faster than most folks get to a horizon on the flat. The body awareness and reactions to lean a slippery tire harder through turns or keep it connected on climbs. The nonchalant hop and pop to clear roots and rocks that poor suspension would have choked on. The confidence to really put the catch in catch berms, so bad brakes don’t matter. I’m sure you could go on yourself with specific examples and actual rider names whether that’s your favorite YouTube steeze artiste or the local hero that makes you feel ‘less’ on every ride.
