Originally Posted by
sam_cyclist
The vast, vast majority of people buying bikes at $6K+ are not racing. They are recreational cyclists and it's a fair bet that a significant minority of people who own expensive bikes rarely if ever ride them. Check your CL listings.
I really don't want to get into the specifics of the demographic profile of riders who buy these bikes, but let's just say they do not fit the racer profile. The demographic is actually exactly the opposite.
I'm 55 and in the races I've been in there's no shortage of $6k+ bikes, some bought some sponsored. For those who are competitive and mature (read older) $6k isn't a particularly big expenditure, particularly compared to other far more expensive hobbies.
I get that not everyone who buys a $6,000 bike needs one. Wanting is sufficient in my book and the OP asked what the difference in bikes was not who could afford them.