I had both, speccy first and then a C64 later

I used the C64 only for games, and the spectrum for my own programs and the odd top game

and yes I was on both sides in the playground,

but the C64 had something missing that the spectrum had, hard to put a finger on it, the spectrum did have inferior games (based on the specifications), but It was more accessable or hackable (in todays speak)

I'd say the spectrum kids was more into modding it, typing their own code from magazines and learning stuff, but the C64 kids used it more like console. and could not see the reason for having a spectrum (due to the inferior spec etc..)