Bicycle Mechanics - Aztwc Brake Pads: Complexification

I finally got around to replacing my old Aztec/Madison pads & ordered the current version. For some reason these had twice as many parts as the old issue (which worked perfectly fine) & they required wheel removal to install them.

I would say if it isn't broken don't fix it. But the new pads cost more, & with more complication they can charge higher prices.

The pad were so unwieldy to install i'm returning them.

I called the store to get a return authorization & they tried to sell me a more expensive pair.

How long a bike will be affordable transport remains to be seen, In relation to cars, yes, always, but in bike terms the cost of keeping them runnning, except for those who can do most or all of their own work, continues to rise. I will probably have to replace my 2 bikes soon due to declining availability of parts. Yet i doubt that the new equivalent of my new $500 '90 Peugeot today will be that much better than the Peugeot. 1 or 2 more gears, which i could live without.

I'm not sure of your question. It's true that cycling is driven to a fair degree by marketing and not all improvements are improvements, although some certainly are.
However, practical quality of bikes hasn't risen much, and has certainly risen at a slower rate than inflation. A $500 bike today will probably work more nicely than a $500 bike from 1990, although mainly because of on-bar shifting.
I'm someone who likes lots of things about older bikes - my two main road bikes will soon be built around Centurion frames from the 80's, with threaded headsets and quill stems and square-taper bottom brackets and horizontal dropouts (I don't think all of these are better, especially the horz. dropouts, but it all works quite well for me). But I think on the whole, you're vastly overstating things.

Re; cost of bikes/cars. A few years ago I was sitting in the garage cleaning up my bike when one of the more elderly neighbors walked by. I offered him a chair and we began to chat. He asked how much I had in the bike. After adding it up, I said $1100.00. He had a good laugh and said; when he first came to California, he bought a brand new chevrolet for $750.00. And there it is. bk

My main point actually was the complexification of the parts in relation to any improved functioning. (People who make price comparisons old & new leave out inflation, for one thing.)
Planned obsolesence. I don't need 9 gears in the back either, especially with 3 up front, but maybe some do.

BTW<, can the original Aztec Madison caliper pads be gotten in the US? I see them only on Brit websites.