How much of a difference would an expensive road bike the pro's use make?

not much

what - it weighs 3 lbs less?

what is that, 1.5% difference up [faster]?

oh wait, it is also slower going down..

wle

Once you reach the pro level where every pound the rider puts on and every oz the bike weighs can make a difference on a long mountain climb. For the average person it won't make much difference that they can tell. A seasoned rider would be able to tell right away.

I would look at the way you are training and where you are at now and where you want to be. A good rider on a entry level bike will beat a novice on the best bike you can buy every time. I wanted to get a high end bike but decided to lose weight first. I look at the extra weigh as a training aid right now. If I ever get down to less then 4% fat weight then I earned a new bike.

A street bike is racing type bike with skinny tires and dropped handlebars. that is taken into consideration one of those bike you would be being ridden in street races such via fact the excursion de France. A well-being bike is a bike designed to be ridden on the line, whether with the numerous convenience beneficial aspects (like a hybrid) geared up in. they have right away bars and a greater comfortable geometry. check out the Trek FX series of motorcycles for stable examples of well-being motorcycles.

"Or is skill more important?"

You just answered your own question. You would need to cover a great distance to see any noticeable difference a 20 lb. bicycle and a 19 lb. bicycle.

Now on the other hand... If you are going to compete - yes you would be covering those great distances. One second could mean the difference between 1st & 10th place covering 50 to 75 miles.. Are you riding competitively or just for recreation?

It won't have much affect. People telling you a bike makes you better are morons. It's all about skill and how good you are on your bike. A great bike doesn't make a rider great. Skill is much more important.

It's

No, not really. At our level most of us could never justify the price for the marginal benefits. For the pro level riders it does amount to seconds per mile... imagine that victory can be measured in seconds per mile!

Soccerref

There are no fast bikes, only fast riders...