A $1,000 moutain bike is generally a higher quality bike than a $1,000 road bike. Maybe because...
-mountain bike frames and components are made in far larger quantities than road bike stuff
-mountain bikes sell both to fanatics and to millions of average folks who just want a sturdy, affordable bike
-road bikes sell to fanatics, who don't mind paying a LOT of money for something a little lighter, or a little more "high tech"
-STI. STI adds AT LEAST $100 to the cost of a $600 bike, compared with downtube shifters on a road bike, or gripshift shifting on a mountain bike. At the Dura Ace level, STI adds closer to $300 to the price of a bike. A lot of money for something that does not shift as well as a $20 shifter, nor brake as well as a $20 brake lever. The worst thing about road bikes as a class.
But, many roadies in Houston would never complain about the cost of the bike. They are wearing $200 shoes, a $100 helmet, a $300 "Look Like Lance" uniform, and have their bike up on the roof of a BMW. For the "fashion" roadies, the price of the bike is just the ante into the world of high style.
Meanwhile, the mountain bike guys and the BMX guys are wearing cut-off jeans, tee-shirts, and tennis shoes. THEIR sort of bike riding is cheaper all the way around.