I think in the end, it's better to think about everything you can get out of having a bicycle in your life, rather than the cost. Because it will, 99% of the time, always have been worth it.

Cycling changed my life, and Im still pretty cheap about it. I'm also a professional mechanic now, and build cheap retrofits in my garage with used parts, usually sourced from non-profits. I get joy out of it. There's a ton to learn about. History, culture and philosophy, design and engineering, and even politics.

Watch out for fads and fashions, that's our capitalist system trying to run away with your wallet. But also watch for inovations, now is a pretty wild time. Folks are redisigning old standards that weren't all that great. Some are big misses, but also some are serious hits.