"The fact that many, many people do just fine with stock frames proves that few people "need" what custom has to offer!"

Right, same thing is probably true about heath care, the fact not everyone is covered or had adequate coverage is clear evidence they didn't need it. Most people don't need an LHT they could get the WalMart bikes Ray Jardine used on one of his tours.

"A $1000+ custom frame that would likely be hard to sell isn't a "low cost" risk!"

Sure it is, first the marginal difference is only 500+ over the LHT frame, they aren't free. Heck 500 bucks really, are we worried about 500 bucks. Can't we at least agree that isn't much money for someone? In the neighbourhood I grew up in our house was 30K, today the same houses are 1.5 millions, 500 bucks isn't what it used to be.

"Really? You get $1000-2000 hair cuts?"

All the time! See where we are though? Talking about dollars when the issue was relying on experts vs. the need to be your own expert. Though I have to say I use clippers and make my own frames. The last one is costing me a fortune!