Well, I ride custom build fixie with Bianchi steel frame which was sold only in Europe 30 years ago. Cost me $500 initially. Since then, I bought fenders, dropdowns, new levers, new chain, new sprockets, several sets of tires etc.

It is funny that the ones who understand bikes usually ask me only if I build the bike myself or how did I get the frame. The ones who don't know anything about bikes, asks about price. People on Manhattan are all about money.

If I don't know them and I don't care about them, I usually say 1200 dollars. Why not? It is probably good estimate of how much money I put into cycling so far. And I am proud of it. Without hesitation I will tell them large sum for what seems to be a beat up bike without gears, because I earned the money by my hard work. I am single, live on Manhattan, and yes, I can afford what I want. Why to be secretive about something I deserve and earned. Thus, if they are rude enough about the price, I make sure to make them feel poor. They deserve it.