Not exactly what I was expecting.

If most bikes came stock with handbuilt wheels, Ultegra hubs, Velocity Deep V's and Wheelsmith or DT Swiss spokes - I wouldn't have started this thread. Instead most bike that cost under a $1,000 come with just enough of a wheel to get them out the door -a lot like car tires. You're actually just confirming the whole issue.

The only bike I ever bought that had that kind of wheelset was a Specialized Roubaix Ultegra Expert - it came stock with an Ultegra wheelset. The average rider in the commuting or hybrid forums doesn't buy a $3,500 bike. Most are looking below $600.