DH and I did a credit card tour in Alaska on our Santana tandem. People would pull up next to us at stop signs and ask "how much does a bike like that cost?" (this was 20 yrs ago) When I told them 1500$, they were actually soooo disappointed! So the next time someone asked us, I just said 500$. Then they said "cool!" and drove off with a smile. That answer worked well for the Alaska tour! When people ask me now, I tell them how much my snazzy little Ruby costs with no shame. When they are shocked, I add - well, I ride it about 120 to 180 miles a week (which is usually a jaw dropper) and I'm on it actually more than I drive my car. That usually shuts them right up. Then more than one person has said "well, if you're on your bike that much, it must be important for it to be comfortable" . But the people who ask are inevitably non-athletic slobs er I mean types, not slobs! Tokie