Yeah, that did seem high... until I realized how well it was made. You would pay the same for a quality high end bike. (I know I have...) The components were carbon fiber and aluminum, and it was surprisingly very light.

Note, I am not connected with this thing in any way... I just saw one in use and talked to the "rider." It just looked interesting to me.

I recall seeing some form of this thing on the local college campus many years ago... and thinking it a lark at the time... perhaps it was the prototype to this "bike."

The first drawbacks I considered were hill climbing (which apparently it does well), the possibility to be thrown off the device when braking hard (due to high center of gravity for the rider) and the lack of ability to carry anything (no place for panniers... a comment which the rider conceded). I also have to wonder about the direct stress on the knees.

But damn, it looks like fun...