You make good points, but in 6 years of use my case shows zero evidence of catching on anything. I put corrugated plastic into the wheel cover sides as extra protection from side impact, use fork locks so you can jump on it from the side and not damage the frame, and stuff it with bubblewrap. Seems to work.
I chose the PikaPackworks based on a published NYT review
http://www.nytimes.com/...hion/12physical.html in which the author traveled with 5 different cases (4 hard and 1 soft). After the shoot-out test, guess which one the author preferred? It was simply the best case overall for a lot of reasons. Protection is critical but there are also other concerns when travelling as you know due to your extensive experience. The PikaPackworks was designed by a professional cyclist and used by several pro cycling teams. It works and I have never seen a negative review. As to the money, bikes depreciate like cars. And if I were to suffer damage at this point, the delta savings in bike fees between the hard and soft case would cover a replacement. I've met folks with the same case as mine that previously had hard cases and won't go back. But I'm not shilling for this particular case, as their are now some alternative and well designed solutions
without going the Titanium Fortress Oversized Hard Case route. Interesting how the cases in this review ranged from $330 to $540 and now there are a lot of cases over a $1000 that will continue to cost you every time you use them for excess weight and size fees, and in extra rental car fees for the vehicles needed to transport them. The industry is following your mantra and selling that koolaid when there are much cheaper...but not cheap...solutions that work.
The competing views are out there and everyone can make their own choice. And having a choice is a great thing.