Kitted out my ex’s perfectly serviceable FS with better forks, lighter wheels, carbon bars etc and she still regarded the choice of a route involving hills (up or down), water, rocks or mud as a personal affront.
Some things are not solved with a better bike
+1, shes got suspension and gears, ive neither! Yet anything more adventurous than a pavement, not a chance!
Have to say not once, ever, have I heard my mates complain about how slow their other haves are whilst drinking in the pub.
Sounds like it’s just a conversation that you have imagined in your head, OP?
+1 , other halves and their ‘riding style’ maybe, but nothing to do with bikes 😉