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Bradley Said:

Why are some road bicycles so damn expensive? What am I missing out?

We Answered:

The answer lies not just in the cost relatively new processes and materials, but in small production numbers and hand fabrication.

Pauline Said:

Why are some road bicycles so damn expensive? What am I missing out?

We Answered:

Rather than compare a top bike to a run of the mill motorcycle a better comparison is a family sedan to a Formula One race car. As with most things linear increase in quality and performance comes at an exponential increase in price. At the top end of the curve, you get very little improvement for a big increase in price.

Very expensive road bikes are also very light but still robust and stiff enough to ride. That takes advanced (and expensive) materials to achieve. Such bikes have parts made from carbon fiber, titanium and aluminium alloys, kevlar, etc. While all of these materials are used on lower end bikes the parts on top level bikes are often made in small numbers ... making them more expensive than mass market components. In addition, racing bikes are designed to shift quickly and smoothly, brake effectively, etc. ... meaning that components are engineered for tollerances and performance far above what the average recreational rider needs (Thats why Dur-ace or top end Campagnolo parts are so expensive). Bottom line ... it cost $$$ for lightness (with strength) and precision operation.

Furthermore, unless you are a top level racing cyclist there is no need (other than showing off to friends) to buy expensive bikes. I ride with some pretty fast riders and only one (a serious racer) has a bike that cost more than $3000 (Can).