Originally Posted by
wphamilton
Relating that to aluminum drop bars - no let's expand to an aluminum and carbon fiber - other than fashion and weight which you mentioned, what would you enjoy more about say, the 3T Ergonova Team Road Handlebar over the Ritchey Design comp curve handlebar? ($320 vs $25 if you're curious). The former is carbon fiber, 100 grams lighter, and -?
The carbon might be slightly more comfortable (on longer rides, especially). It's easier and cheaper to make simple bars out of AL.
Anyway, you know (or
should know) that bicycle stuff has a diminishing return for performance versus cost and that there is a sweet-spot price (stuff can be too cheap and stuff that is very expensive isn't really worth the minor performance enhancement).
Also, stuff for normal size people is going to be more cost-effective (the market is bigger and there's more competition). If you are on the small or large size, you might be required to pay more for parts that best fit you.