I don't think anyone is pretending. It is an entry level track bike just as a bianchi pista, flite 100, fuji track, or schwinn madison, which are all found as rental bikes and have the same junky components when stock. If you go to the track, usually these lower end bikes are the norm. Never has anyone gone and seen a Nagasawa or Corima Cougar as a rental bike. They are always low level entry level track bikes.

Are they a Dolan Arc DF3 carbon race bike with a Mavic Comete wheelset? Hell no. But it does fit in the bottom of the bucket entry level track bikes category, regardless of what most people buy it for. The only place I have ever heard of with nice(r) rentals was ADT who has Felt TK2 for rent, but if you have ever bothered stepping into that facility, you'll see that their monetary budget is way higher then most velodromes.

Your assumption is kinda like saying "well most people who have a Bianchi Pista Concept never go to the track so why don't they take off the 48x16 since most people will just be using it to
-make into a tarck bike and tricks
-do skids (oh my god only 1 skid patch)
-add risers
-add other items such as top tube pads, bandanas and aero spokes....."
....since thats what many people with them do. (browse velospace)

Complaining about having to buy a cog is a moot point, because even if it came with 48x17, it would be a sh*tty stamped 17T cog you would have to change out anyway, thus requiring the purchase of a decent cog, regardless of teeth.

Everyone I know who rides a fized gear has a few sprockets anyway.

When I raced BMX for years, most complete BMX bikes came with 44x16. It was just a standard that the industry adhered to. How can you honestly know what gearing is gonna be best for most people? Thats absurd.

Just do a search for any of the gear preference posts. People post all kind of different ratios depending on riding style and where they live. I know a few folks who started on 48x16 and just kept it.

Why do they put those sh*tty Kenda tires on it that have to be upgraded?

Why don't they put a more comfortable seat on the bike from the start?

It's a 350 dollar bike. Resist from spending money on bullsh*t for one week and buy a cog.