I don't know... There are some folks at my office that make very modest salaries that spend more than that on HD TVs. I'd say it's a matter of priorities rather than cost alone. To me a bike easily pays for itself in enjoyment, exercise, and gas. A television has no value once purchased, saves no gas, and fends off no medical conditions with life-giving exercise, yet many low income folks purchase expensive televisions. $2000 is pretty easy to make up over a year or two of very modest saving. I also never realized what a difference a really good bike makes until I took the plunge. I always remind myself that I can buy a dozen very nice bikes and still have it cost less than a car.