Why do top-line bikes get so pricy?

Whether the $6000 bikes are sixty times better is a matter of opinion. But my entry level bike shop bike is at least 4 times better than the so called budget bike I bought first and less than two times the price.

I say so called budget bike because I would have saved several hundred dollars if I had started at the bike shop in the first place.

Like you, I am not a pro, and ride only 15 or 20 miles at a time for fun and fitness, although that keeps increasing as I get faster and build up my stamina.

The top line bikes get so expensive because some people are willing to pay a lot more for incremental improvements. Something my ex said about sound systems applies here: half of the cost gets you the first 80% of the quality. You pay more for the other 20% if you can tell a difference and it is worth the money to you.

You're quite right that as you pile the money on, the degree of improvement each additional dollar buys you eventually tapers off.

But also keep in mind that not many actually NEED to ride a bike, we CHOOSE to ride bikes.

It's like any hobby, if we can be made to THINK it's better - give a "better" experience - someone will always buy anything they can afford.

And then there is the competition aspect.

For more casual riding, shaving a little weight, or getting 2% more aero isn't a big deal, but if you're sprinting towards the finish line, every little thing counts.

And there are differences, don't doubt that. A mid-priced bike will be better put together, bearings will turn smoother, last longer, (might) be better sealed. It'll flex where expected and be rigid in the right places. Tires will be grippier and roll easier. etc etc.

And there's the eco-thing too. if you have a $1000 bike, you're probably OK with giving it a $200 repair when needed.

But how much would you spend on keeping a $200 bike rolling?

Or the Roadmaster Pigeon is pining about, it'd hardly be worth getting new tires even.

To me, around $1000 is where you can start getting a decent bike.

Full-sus MTB, double that.

For road bikes I'd say that it'll be possible to notice actual improvement to maybe $3000, after that, it'll be more questionable. More about exotic than actual performance improvement.

Past $5000, I really don't know what you get.

Full-sus MTBs can carry noticeable differences a bit higher. There's more weight to be saved on them, more tricks to be done with the suspension.

Once you reach a certain price point you have to pay a lot more for little gain. It's the same with anything else you can buy.

A $100 bike is going to be junk. It may look like a bike but that is it.

there are diminishing returns, to be sure, and we can all debate what the ideal price point is. i feel as though the difference between a 1500 dollar bike and a 6000 dollar bike is a difference that is marginal indeed. but the difference between a 200 dollar bike and a 1500 bike will be rather significant, especially by comparison. if you are only spending 200 bucks i recommend shopping used. as a rule, if you can't afford to buy a new mid level bike (which to me as between 600-1000) i think you should be shopping used. with 200 bucks and some patience you could buy a used mid-level bike that will vastly outperform a new entry level bike you might buy with the same money.

Let's do an analogy... Why is it you can buy a basic Kia Soul for about 15,000 and yet a Ferrari might cost close to $300,000? http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/04/ferrari/ff/ if not more?

Is that Ferrari TWENTY times better than a Kia? Depends on what you NEED it for. If all you NEED is a little grocery getter car - the Kia is fine. If you NEED a car that'll push 200 mph - get the Ferrari.

SPEED cost $$$. Ever thought about labor involved in wrapping & layering carbon fiber BY HAND vs. some machine spitting out a steel or aluminum frame?

You're quote, "I was debating on get a $200 budget road bike..." Now you're getting into something less than fun to ride & prone to mechanical failure from day one. That $200 bike would be much like the now defunct Yugo Car Co. If you NEED a dependable road bike with a REAL warranty - they start around $650 to $700.

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/sportif-25

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/de...

$200 will get you a "bicycle shaped object", much like that Yugo was only shaped like a small car. In reality, it was a rolling piece of junk from day one.

Performance and build quality are why I personally buy more pricey bikes as opposed to cheap Walmart bikes. Also, for personal reasons, I do not wish to support the economies of the third world nations that build these decrepit things.

Prices range from $80 to $10,500

A $200 Road Bike would be the GMC Denali

The Granite Peak Roadmaster Mens MTB is only $80

if you have to ask, you don;t need it

Is it more durable parts?

==no, actually they may be less durable

the weight of the bike?

==maybe

gear capacity?

==no, there are no more gears than a $900 bike

Or what?

like i said...

wle

Top line dorks pay more