Guys, I just have to reject the notion that innovations that suit competitive cyclists represent improvements, or even incremental steps on the way to the peak in cycling evolution.
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Bicycle evolution can never reach its peak until derailleurs are a thing of the past.
If I were building a bike from scratch, an 8-speed rear hub and a dynamo front would definately be a part of it.
Just like autos, bicycles evolve in the direction of what people want to buy, not towards what makes sense. One would be hard-pressed to make a case for the 4-door 4WD 4-ton V8 shorty bed pickup being the culmination of automotive technology. But they sure are popular around here.