Bike snob or just lover of quality. My own 30+ years of road and MTB ownership hav taught me you do t need to by top end to get fablous equipment.
Early / Mid-80s Suntour was great kit. I have 30 year old Cyclone and SuperBe on my old steel roadie and it runsi incredibly well.
EArly / Mid-90s MTB is where Shimano LX and XT dominated in qulity stakes. Shimano Kit from this era runs like a dream.
If you love quality you might be called a snob but to me you just love things that work and will last.
Andy