I mean, as one who has a great time on C&V bikes worth less in complete form than many people have into their pedals (and who thoroughly enjoys their comments about "the guy with the shifters on his tube" on charity rides when he goes right by them ), and who is building up a touring bike off something he got off CL for $85 that should fit all the requirements I have for my touring, I could ask that question a lot about most bikes people have.

In the end, I really don't care what others do with their money or time. I look to what others are doing for inspiration in solving any problems or optimizing any solution I may have, and that is the extent of my attention paid into what others do. People put things on their bike because they perceive a benefit from them. Whether or not that benefit is real is personal, subjective, and really matters little to me unless it is my bike.