The OP does have a point here.
Regardless of what everyone else may think he does or does not need, road bike parts are expensive. Bike parts are expensive. And when you are coming from the world of single-speed/fixed gear, where there is a minimal amount of parts needed, there is quite a sticker shock as to how much it can cost to build/upgrade components on a road bike. This is simply because you need more components to ride a road bike as opposed to a brakeless track bike. Been there, done that. But you get used to it and in no time it doesn't seem that expensive...you just get a better job that pays more or you spend less money on other things in your life
