I don’t even know how you’d spend 15k on a bike. Maybe top of the line tt/tri with super expensive wheels. But even then. Id rather go full custom at that point.
5k should get you a super nice bike, stylish, modern and all that. Diminishing returns probably start well under half that.
Edit— I do know of a 14k bike, the Rene Hearse 80th anniversary edition. Handbuilt custom, and there are going to be 8 of them. I’d love to ride one, but … that’s a lot of money.
In Folsom there is a guy named mark who has a full custom bike shop - mostly artisan style super roadsters (think LA Chopper style low rider bikes) -- the guy who makes them is a guy named Mark.
He charges typically around $16,000 for his creations. They are AMAZING looking bikes - but not my style at all.
The one I mentioned that was at Mikes Bikes in Folsom, was $15K - I cant recall the brand of that one, but it was a massive full suspension plus electric.
The Specialized there that was ~$12K was also full suspension electric..
The other high end store which is in downtown RoseVille...
Both places with lots of money... rich weekend warriors.
5k should get you a super nice bike, stylish, modern and all that. Diminishing returns probably start well under half that.
Edit— I do know of a 14k bike, the Rene Hearse 80th anniversary edition. Handbuilt custom, and there are going to be 8 of them. I’d love to ride one, but … that’s a lot of money.