Not nearly as much to do with progress, as it does with making money. Every few years they make a different standard which makes older stuff incompatible. Oversize stems, different seat post diametres, 7-8-9-10 speed groups and chains. Most of it just marketing hype.


I'd be very happy with such setup, thank you very much. See no point in anything above 8 speeds. I have ridden from 5 all the way to 10 cogs in the back. IT IS nice to have 10 at the back when it's all shiny, new, smooth. But the less cogs, the more spaced they are, the less worrying about setting up shifters, shifter gaining "play" after some time etc. That setup you said and a decent pair of v-brakes can get me anywhere I'd want to go. That's just my oppinion ofcourse.