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I agree you could buy a generic brand bike that would do the same job. I'm not sure I can add much to the luxury goods debate, save to comment that there is probably always a cheaper viable option for every purchase we make.
If I had this money to spend on a bike frame, I would buy the Richard Sachs custom frame over the S-Works Aethos though, despite the evident performance disadvantages. Mainly because I want to put money into the hands of a known individual to lead a decent life, rather than to a corporation.
My last comment is just to echo what you say about longevity. I can think of at least one erstwhile custom frame builder who liked to have a pop at Richard Sachs. Safe to say they aren't making a living building frames anymore.
t-v
davidual
Honestly I couldn't say as I've never ridden one and I'm not likely to.
But it doesn't really matter.
With all items that are that high up the price ladder, you're clearly buying an aesthetic/vibe/symbol/personal dream. It's not really about function at that point. I don't think many of us would seriously argue that an RS, however good it is, would be in any way objectively 'better' at transporting you from A to B at speed and/or in comfort than just about any properly fitted mid-range Giant/Spesh/Trek.
In the same way, I'd never spend £££ on a watch - I just don't 'get' expensive watches, and am perfectly happy with a £30 job - but I totally understand why buying a Rolex might symbolise success or the realisation of a personal dream to someone else. I'm sure an RS bike is no different.
As an aside, RS is one of the fairly small number of guys to have made a solid, long-term career out of framebuilding. Making handmade bicycles for a sustainable, full-time living is (evidently) not an easy thing to do. Whether or not it's marketing or craftsmanship or customer service (and it's likely a combination of all 3), then more power to him, tbh. I think it makes the bike world a more interesting place.