bradtx

shoota, I wouldn't worry about most of Siimano's 9S parts. You will pay a premimum if you want a part to come from a box labeled Ultegra or Dura Ace. I bought two HG-50 14-25 9S cassettes that look exactly like the old HG-70/90 non Ti cassettes with the Ultegra style spider and drilled cogs.

I'm less sure about Octalink V1 bottom bracket availability in the future. I guess if I were really worried I'd order a BB for my 6503 bike.

Brad

PS I had one 7700 bike and two 6500 bikes at the same time and the most noticeable difference, other than in my wallet, was the superior FD trimming with the D-A.

ThermionicScott 

I was going to mention that SRAM, SunRace, IRD, and others are making replacements, too, which definitely helps with the "always available" part. Not sure why I chopped it from my reply in the end.

shoota 

Seems like a good excuse to go 11s Thanks guys

noglider 

A you buying a whole drivetrain? If so, take a look at the Campagnolo prices on sites such as Ribble and Wiggle. They may be cheaper than the Shimano you're planning to buy, and darn, does that stuff work well.

dddd

Unless the exact original part is needed, I jump at the chance to actually upgrade any Shimano 8s road bike with one of SRAM's inexpensive cassettes. These cassettes have much nicer finish and are quite a bit lighter than Dura-Ace 8s cassettes due to more extensive perforation of the cog blanks. I for one am really glad to be able to buy these, as well as the equally-nice 12-32t 7-speed cassette that SRAM has been offering.

So I see no problem with sourcing good cassettes in the future, but hoods for old STI levers could be an issue at some point, as they so often have.
I have sourced good hoods from my big pile of broken STI shifters, which kind of makes my day.

I have stocked up on Sunrace 13-25t 7s freewheels just in case they were to change their look (like Shimano did) or stop making them.

eschlwc

@dddd, those sunrace 7s freewheels seem to be less available now in the 13-25 version ... at least on ebay.