Great thread
I have to agree with Nelson's logic somewhat. I'd much rather gain 10lbs of quality muscle mass on a primo cycle, than gain 20lbs on a high dose test...half of which I'll lose in water weight..etc.
7-10lbs doesn't sound a lot and probably isn't seen as a great achievement to some guys, but if you add that up over 3 or 4 years
I think overall, you would probably gain more size using test than any other AAS (diet permitting) for several reasons. But yes, I think it is probably overrated for this reason. Because weight and size doesn't reflect quality.
Personally, I'd rather add quality muscle weight more gradually using very modest cycles (to help with the recovery, strength and an increased protein synthesis) than f*ck around with tons of different drugs and chemicals and try to add as much all out weight and mass as possible.
It then become a dangerous game where people think "wow, I gained 15lbs on this cycle, I'll up the dosage next time or try a more powerful drug and I should be able to gain 20lbs more on the next one". So they become more and more reliant on the AAS than their actual training and diet structure. I think a lot of people forget that Bodybuilding is something which takes time, dedication and hard work. Everyone wants to wake up looking like so and so straight away and lose patience.
Pretty much every steroid will increase protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, increase recovery, endurance...etc. to different degrees, so what more do you want? The training and diet will take care of the rest.
I've seen pictures of guys who have done some pretty heavy and complex cycles and in a lot of cases the gains really don't reflect or justify the quantities and the drugs they use (IMHO).
It's sad that this has become the current trend of Bodybuilding. It's become a complete joke IMO.
No disrespect to the current champs, but today, Bodybuilders are rewarded by how much muscle mass they can pack rather than the shape and completeness of the physique.
Compare someone like Jay Cutler to Shawn Ray. Or Markus Ruhl to Franco Columbu for example. Complete contrasts. So I think the current format of Bodybuilding is largely responsible for this mentality.
I've often wondered why people are so obsessed with using high doses of test or crazy amounts of any steroid for that matter.
Back on topic (sorry

)
I think it's probably wise to include some low maintainance dose of test as base of an AAS cycle, but I don't understand why guys say you should never use anything under 500mg EW of Test or you should run at least 1g? Especially when stacking it with something like Primo or Var.
Higher doses = high risk of side effects = high risk of health problems
I think running a low dose test for maintainance is a good idea. But I don't think you need to use stupid doses if you stack it with something to compliment it.
For example:
Test increases SHBG
Test decreases collegen synthesis
Primo decreases SHBG
Primo increase collegen synthesis