It is a hobby after all so why moan if someone wants to spend £4k on a bike but doesn’t ride for a pro team.
Its to do with the whole image of the sport really. Cycling has a bit of a “cool” “hardcore” “underground” “edgy” image, especially mountain biking.
People spending extortionate amounts on very expensive bikes and then riding like a bellend just ruins it.
I mean fair enough, you dont have to be a great rider, but at least give stuff a go. If you cant ride a 3 foot drop off, I dont think you can call yourself a mountain biker.
Back in the day, if you said to someone you were a mountain biker, they would think of you as a bit of a tough guy (but cool with it aswell)
Not anymore, they almost laugh at you nowadays.