Yes you're right. I find it particularly interesting that this is the case in bicycles but completely different from automobiles. I doubt that you could construct any automobile from individual parts, even used ones, that could come anywhere close to the price of the same car new and complete from the manufacturer. Is it because bike parts are so much cheaper relative to their cost when used in the OEM mode than auto parts are? Or is it because new complete bike prices are so inflated. Lots of responders to this thread seem to think that the price for a new complete bike is right and fully justified by all the overhead in the industry. If that's right it would say that the individual parts, new or used, parts are crazy reasonable as compared to the auto scenario. I just don't know. But I can say I take full advantage of the situation. I can hardly change my own motor oil, but it sure is easy and satisfying to build my own bike.