my first bike came out to about 600 not counting shipping costs, and that was truly bottom of the barrel parts, by no means a fast race bike.
it was good enough to see that i loved it and what i wanted out of a "good" bike, my leader is somewhere upwards of 1500, thats with a totally on sale frame and recycling some parts

in retrospect i shouldve bought complete, it wouldve been better for less money and provided me with the same if not better experience

just my nickels, cuz nickels is money too.