Chain & Casette Life Question
Do 8 speed and fewer gear freewheels or casettes and chains have longer life than the current 9, 10 and presumably new 11 speed chains and casettes?
I have seen mention by one member of actually bending casette cogs but I do not recall that he specified the gear train number of speeds. I believe that each increase in number of speeds above 8 has involved narrower cogs and chains. I would think this would increase pressure on cog teeth in the chain contact area, increasing wear. It would also weaken the cog as far as side loads seemingly.
Is the new Campy 11 speed just a marketing move? Frank Berto in his new edition of "The Dancing Chain" expressed the opinion that anything over 7 to 8 speed freehubs just gives more duplicate speeds and makes adjustment more critical. He also expressed the opinion that it reduced component life.
I note that seemingly MTB gear trains have topped out at 9 speed casettes.