For me the issue isn't strictly cost, but cost vs. benefit. I find it hard to spend tons of money to shave a few grams off my bike while I'm carrying around at least 25 pounds of extra weight on my body ;)

If I reach the point where my shadow disappears when I turn sideways I'll start worrying about shaving grams off the bicycle components...

LOL. I hear that. I lost 12 pounds since December. I lost 5 pounds yesterday alone on a particularly tough ride.
I generally don't buy to shave off grams until a part "needs" to be replaced. When the "need" arrises the part is always replaced with a lighter and better component.

GOOD FOR YOU!
now get ready to work for the bike.. You will drool over a shiny new cassette like it was a naked supermodel.. Every time you get some spare change you would wonder what it could buy, a new stem? Can wait for Christmas to get new wheels?

I was caught by surprise when I got my member statement from Performance Bike, and I realized how much money I was spending.. :D

But it is worth every penny.. it is fun, cool, and good for you too..

SinGate, congratulations on your HHH ride. I was registered but couldn't get off work. I drove the route about a month ago and ONLY rode the last 3 miles two times. There is no way I could ride that last 3 miles after 100 miles. I won't tell you how many times I had to stop to catch my breath. (I have asthma and am overweight.)

My wife says that I can pick up a carbon road bike, when I find one that's a good steal at a garage sale. This is a big consession, because she previously forbade me from bringing any more "junk" home from these sales.

Hrm. I have another consession... what garage sales are you patroning, that offer Carbon Road Bikes?! heh.. I am in the wrong part of town apparently. :D I don't think I would forbade Pl8er (my beau) from bringing home "that" piece of junk though ;)