[rightwingcrazy]

For $12,000, I’d expect a bicycle to give me foot massages and make me dinner. And extend my lifespan by 12 years.

[Rebelbase]

$12K for a bike? Inflation is worse than we thought.

[avenir]

I think that gets you super-strong and feather-light frame and components (or custom builds). Appeals to the spandex tights/jersey crowd.

[PapaBear3625]

led police to the location of one of the prototype bikes

It was a "prototype", as in a custom-made bike that the maker was hoping to license to a manufacturer.