For me, certain bikes have ‘soul’. Long rides at home and abroad with my bike over many years and I feel there is a connection. No longer an inanimate object.
I’ll apologise as I mash the gears, for example, as readily as I’ll pat the top-tube for staying with me on the gruelling ascents; I know I’m not the only one to give thanks for the sublime ride through the bluebell lined flowing singletrack 😀
My bike/s have a personality, that are closely linked to how I feel on a particular day. I appreciate the empathy TBH.
It is of course, your choice to get annoyed and stop reading adverts because someone has developed their own relationship with their bike -that would doubtless include love, care and regular maintenance.
Personally, I’ve found some cracking bikes because of this fact. I may have paid a little more than someone else, but I have found these people to be particularly fair, honest and genuine.
One thing I have learnt, is to never sell on those bikes of mine where this bond has grown over time.
You know, it takes all sorts and we all make our own world 😀