Why I love (supposedly) out-of-date, funny looking, retro 8-Speed groupsets
I have just spent the last 2 freaking evenings fiddling with a 10-speed Campagnolo Chorus system, trying to get it shifting clean (so I can sell the damn bike having people almost lined up to buy the damn thing.)
Turns out the tolerances on even a 10-speed set up are so tight that these things are notoriously hard to tune.
derailleur not perfectly aligned, slight friction in the cable housing, mismatch between chain, cassette and derailleur, cog spacing differences.... Jesus Christ. I have never had to even THINK about the smooth shiftingness of my good old 8-speed Dura Ace and Record stuff from 15 years ago. (and I doubt that in my 2x8 I am missing much over a 2x10 in terms of unique "developments" -- gear ratios.)
If "old-fashioned" 10 speed systems are this finicky, I can't imagine what the electronic systems would be like.
Not to mention the difference in maintenance cost. the cheapest 10-speed chains are about $50 (and up up up for Campy brand.) ditto replacement cassettes etc etc.
My 8 speed chains are about 20 bucks.
All I see 10 and 11 speed systems doing is giving you more extreme ways to cross chain and wear things so so you can pay huge to replace them.
bloody Equipment Creep!
EOR (End Of Rant)
Turns out the tolerances on even a 10-speed set up are so tight that these things are notoriously hard to tune.
derailleur not perfectly aligned, slight friction in the cable housing, mismatch between chain, cassette and derailleur, cog spacing differences.... Jesus Christ. I have never had to even THINK about the smooth shiftingness of my good old 8-speed Dura Ace and Record stuff from 15 years ago. (and I doubt that in my 2x8 I am missing much over a 2x10 in terms of unique "developments" -- gear ratios.)
If "old-fashioned" 10 speed systems are this finicky, I can't imagine what the electronic systems would be like.
Not to mention the difference in maintenance cost. the cheapest 10-speed chains are about $50 (and up up up for Campy brand.) ditto replacement cassettes etc etc.
My 8 speed chains are about 20 bucks.
All I see 10 and 11 speed systems doing is giving you more extreme ways to cross chain and wear things so so you can pay huge to replace them.
bloody Equipment Creep!
EOR (End Of Rant)
