I have two bikes that I use for commuting.

The first bike is a Poprad cyclocross bike, and the second bike is a Trek 800 sport mountain bike.

To set the Poprad up for my commute, I had to replace the entire drive train for a total cost of $500.

To replace the crank, chain, and cassette on the Trek cost $35. Granted, I bought nashbar 7-speed MTB components.

Is it just me or are MTB components on average cheaper than road components? Deals on road components are not as easy to find.

Why did you had to replace the whole drive train, just for commuting?

Because I am weak. My commute is 50 miles round trip. I have over 1 mile of climbing each way. I just couldn't see myself doing on a double crankset. So I put a mountain rear derailuer and cassette on the back and a 105 triple crankset on the front.

If I was smart, I would have just commuted on the moutain bike, but I love the ride of the poprad too much and want to ride it as much as possible.

Of course, let's not bring up the Fuji Team SL that I neglect because I now ride the Poprad on my group rides.

If you're happier riding the bike, more power to ya. At your current rate the parts should be "paid off" by riding instead of driving well within a year and should last a few years.

As for the mountain/road parts question, I think mountain parts have evolved more quickly, making it difficult for companies to justify outrageous prices for "obsolete" parts that are perfectly functional but not the latest and greatest.

Don't fret to much over the cost to revamp your road bike, mate.
With gas cost what they are now the payback time will "pay"
for all the parts /labor fairly quickly. Besides, you really like
the bike and folk's waste more money than what you spend on
stuff that won't be around later as your bike will.

Money spent on bikes that are ridden reguarlly is never a cost.
It is a resonable investment in your health and well being while
costing nothing more to use (except normal wear & tear). I
can think of LOTS of ways to waste that amount of money.......
Can't you????

Wow, $35 is really cheap for all that you got for the Trek.