Originally Posted by
nosaj
How is that different from everything else that people buy? Who needs fancy running shoes when a $30 pair of Chucks is all you need? Why buy a smartphone when a 90s Nokia can manage all of your calling/texting needs? Why drive a BMW when a Ford Fiesta does essentially the same thing?
It isn't in any fundamental way; we're just talking about the cycling version.
(For what it's worth, I have a cheap dumb phone that might as well be from the '90s, but handles my talking and texting needs without a huge data plan. And there's nothing more comfortable to ride in than a thin merino shirt.)