It's not a case of belief. They are factually incontrovertible unlike the premise espoused by you which is an article of faith. You already know that it's your training that made you quicker. The fact that you continue to insist that it is down to a set of red wheels is baffling.
Expensive wheels are a function of status anxiety. Rather than seek validation of self by describing one's training routine and dedication to self-improvement, one seeks it by crowing about one's available disposable income, "I am well off because I could afford to buy these".
It's so sad!
Bollocks, my wheels were probably the cheapest/lightest I could buy.........because I'm a tight wad, yes my post was "tongue in cheek" and I'm getting fitter all the time and becoming a better rider, but you cannot tell me that they have not helped me improve my times during my TT season over my old set of R501's and rubino/zaffiro combo which weighed a ton and were errrr........not very aero!
To go faster you have to improve everything, a tactic adopted by team GB I believe, lots of relatively small performance gains together contribute to overall large improvements. For instance -TT helmet, skin suit, more aero riding position, LIGHTWEIGHT AERO WHEELS AND TYRES, etc etc etc. To say they don't help is utter shite. The next step for me will be a full on TT bike, now you are going to tell me it won't make any difference?
