RE: hifi …
I think bikes are by and large 'good value'
The manufactures are constantly striving to lower weight, increase travel, and improve 'technologically'. It's a healthily competitive industry wherein -crucially- if your products DON'T perform at their price-point/on the trail – people won't buy them and you'll go bust!
Year-on-year the kit is improving I think we can agree – does your bike perform better than the one you rode 10 years ago? I think yes.
BUT
HIFI is a smug-club of small manufacturers who have largely retreated to the 'high end' – and churn out a steady flow of products that are rarely quantifiably better than cheaper alternatives .. trading on 'perceived value' and 'hand-wound by Japanese master' copper nonsense.
^ A $30 digital amp can have less 2nd harmonic distortion than a $3000 SET valve amp .. but try telling the owners that.
Bikes are good value IMHO.
(I have worked in bike shops for years, always paid 80p-ish plus VAT for tubes – go figure)