[ramesh31]

>Approximately as ludicrously expensive as audiophile gear, but you don't need to be talented to get some extra fitness and joy out if it.

Bikes are kind of different. There's an order of magnitude difference in your experience with a proper carbon road bike versus a steel Huffy. People who've only experienced the latter tend to think of biking as miserable. It's the one thing that I tell people to either spend the money on or don't bother.

[beachy]

That's one philosophy.

Another is that if your bike is for exercise, and you spend your time chugging up hills, then it doesn't matter if it's not built from the latest, lightest titanium alloy. The heavier the better in fact.

[bittercynic]

That's true only if you manage to ride the heavier bike almost as much. You might find it much more enjoyable to ride the more expensive bike, and end up riding more because of it.

[sho_hn]

Agreed! But there's compromises possible. A well-designed alu frame with a carbon fork is a lot cheaper, but still reasonably comfortable.