$10K for a bike is not all that much.
check these out

http://www.serotta.com/meivici/specs.html#msrp (that's just the frame)

plus wheels
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bik...1489.366.0.html

and components
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?P...2134&MODE=NONAV

and you have to have carbon fiber brakes
http://fairwheelbikes.com/axlightness-orio...akeset-p-6.html

and others (seat, seatpost, stem, handlebars)
http://fairwheelbikes.com/axlightness-daed...ost-p-1171.html

easily reaching $20K. but the bike will be amazing. Better than what the pros use.


... and don't forget shoes
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?P...FOUND=YES&MODE=

 

Nice buys.

 

Yes the Orbea is carbon fiber and they're expensive because it's the price the market will bear. When I started cycling 30 years ago the best bikes were $1,200-$1,500. Fifteen years ago you'd have to drop between $3-5 grand for the best. Today $8-$10 grand and MORE. So actually my bikes run around $5k apiece so I thought I was being frugal. After living like a monk for the past 15 years sending my kids to college I felt it was time to reward myself with something. I did contemplate a Comptech Supercharger for my S2000.

 

Nice choices, I have an Orbea Onix (wish I had gone Orca) but at the time of my purchase I had no idea I would be getting into the sport as much as I am now.

Bicycles are outta control, manufacturers keep saying their raw material costs were going up...well now can we get our bikes half off that prices fell through the floor. j/k I know that will happen, I think at best we can hope for price stabilization. I bought a Specialized Transition last year and the new model is like a grand more, glad I bought when I did!

Are you in Bridegwater, NJ...should come and ride with our crew on the shore, we ride out of Red Bank/Fair Haven daily.

 

No Bridgewater Ma. I raced in N.J. years ago the Tour of Somerville. Do they still have that race? The Onix is a nice ride a little more comfortable than the Opal.

 

Shoe prices are jumping up as well. I remember 250 a few years ago being high end for a show now they are 500 and more for really high end shoes!

 

$10K? Why? Do they get you in shape a million times faster than the average bikes? Are they some secret companions to share your feelings with? I'm not seeing the reason for the high cost, not even looks. With a Ferrari, it looks extraordinarily better than the average car, those bikes don't look any better than the average bikes, imo.

But anyway, buy what you like, it's your money.

 

[QUOTE=Yellow_S,Feb 3 2009, 03:04 AM] $10K?

 

Ding, ding! That's an upper-cut shot.

 

I can't afford a Ferrari but I can swing I high end bike. If you're not into it you'll never get it. Non car people can't tell a Miata from an Enzo but I think you'll agree that there is a difference. If you ride a $500 vs. $5,000 bike you'll notice quite a difference and not just the weight. If you're 50 lbs over weight a super bike would be frivolous. I'm 55 years old and still have a 32 inch waist, cycling, along with a lifelong love of sports cars is what I do. I raced back in the eighties and continue to ride to this day. Also I didn't pay $10k for these bikes. They would cost you that much if you strolled into your local bike shop but I bought them because thanks to this horrible economy I was able to pick them up for a fraction of that.