I have two bikes. One is a 1994 Cannondale Killer V900 mountain bike that I have had since 1994, and still ride on very leisurely, photograph taking, nature-appreciating rides. The other is a 2007 Lemond Buenos Aires road bike.
The really odd thing is I have six wheelsets for the Lemond, and switching the wheels often almost gives me the feel of a different bike each time. The general thing I have found though, is that my most expensive wheelsets (and tires, since I put my better tires on the better wheelsets) ride much better than my cheaper wheelsets and the rides are more enjoyable and less harsher. In most cases (not all), the real expensive recreational toys are expensive because they are better engineered and perform better. YMMV