It's about unabashed wild enthusiasm for bikes, tours, speed, compitition, time with friends, self improvement, feeling healthy, feeling good, more speed and compitition. There, I feel much better. For most of us who ride recumbents, comfort is the primary reason why. What I noticed most was that when at the end of the day, the wedgie riders were complaining of all sorts of aches and pains, only my legs were tired and sore. Having said that, let me contradict my opening sentence.
Every cyclist needs to determine their own personal objectives.
There is no right or wrong type of bike. But it is important to do one's homework before making a significant investment. You can buy a recumbent for the price of the Rohloff. In the conversation it came up that the hub was never designed to be used with less than a 33t up front. Even though it has been spec'd on lots of bents, it is out of its design parameters.