You don't think that a 15 lb pound bike, with a stiffer frame, 20 speed gears which are both wide ranged and closely spaced, flawless indexed shifting, integrated levers, brakes that actually stop, and lighter more aerodynamic wheels is better than a 21lb bike, with 12 speeds, no indexed shifting, (or indexing that works like crap), a less stiff frame, wheels that are heavier, have more drag, and are actually less durable?

Now you can argue whether its enough of a difference to be worth the money. However, the vast majority of reasonable people, heck even most of the C&V crowd will conceed the 2008 State of the Art Road bike is "better" than a mid 80's road bike.

Time marches on.