saab2000,
by and large, I agree with you, but if you use the CPI to compare prices (and there are reasons you might not want to, but let's not get into that here), $1500 in 1980 is about $3400 now.
c.f.
http://www.bls.gov/
A lugged steel bike with Record could be had for about that. Then adjust for improvements in quality of components (not to mention steel).
$16K on the other hand. Well, it ain't my money.
Of course, is it so different from someone who has 20 bikes? You could have 10 bikes--with every riding style you'd want represented--plus this crazy $16K bikes for less than 20 bikes.
Just a point of reference for people who think it's crazy to pay that much for a bike.