Dura Ace hubs are far from weight weenie. I got em cause they're nice, I prefer loose ball, and they look sexy I have no shame admitting that. H+son rims are also nice, very straight rims when they arrived in the mail, and also look sexy. When I get some cash saved up I'm going to replace the spokes with some bladed ones, because they look sexy.

You can ride a $300 bike just fine, and if riding on the street probably won't notice a rim or hub or crank or stem upgrade, but that doesn't mean it stupid to buy them. I choose not to live life by the bare essentials. I enjoy a little luxury in some things. For some luxury means lighter rims, for me it's rims that have a tall surface and can be air brushed with a sweet design.