Originally Posted by GrainBrain

That's it then, isn't it? The longer you're into something the more you know what you want. If he's not into bicycling $500 is fine. But the longer he rides potentially the better he wants the experience to be, or he wants it to his taste.

I just bought my new bike, and I had to figure out something that could do long hauls, but be fun. Light but durable, compliant but stiff. Fast but comfortable. I've been cycling long enough and finally had some resources so I went for a pricey bike that was a little exotic in its approach. I'm happy with it.

​​​​​I had built up a gravel bike from a mid 70s bike boom frame with a decent wheelset and ok groupset. If I didn't have the cash could I have rode that and been happy? Yup. But it wasn't as smooth, nor as fast.