Just because some roadies ride 4000 dollar bikes and in 5000 dollar kit, does not mean the sport is elitist.
You can just as well ride a 1000 dollar Trek in cut offs.. Don't let the so called, 'trend setters ,' think we are all elitists. It's just marketing ploy to make you spend more than you need to.. . Lots of my riding buddies ride modest bikes and are in fact roadies. Darn good , strong roadies at that..