I suspect some of it has to do with the brake lever and shifter not being separate as other models are. I have these on my '93 Scott mtb. They work pretty well. When I was thinking of upgrading it was going to be new levers and shifters which I didn't want to spend the cash on (it was going to be around $200). So, in the scheme of things for me - $50 or so would have been more economical to keep with the same set up I have on the bike. In the end, I worked some Tri-Flow through them a couple of times and they started shifting flawlessly. I ride it 2-3 times a week in the summer and fall.