Originally Posted by
Slaninar
I abuse my commuter bicycle. It is a hybrid with Acera groupset. 3 years of year-round abuse. Snow, mud, you name it. Hills, flats. Some 20 to 100 kilometres per day. No problems. Change chain and cassette when needed. See no real need for Deore etc.
Exactly, use the gear which is fit for the purpose you need it for, I commuted for a year all weathers on a flat bar Sora equipped Giant, worked great for the 15km each way. Currently for long distance I used a Ti bike with Ultegra, and after a few hundred KM, the better ergonomics of the STI's are noticeable.