Agreed, LesterOfPuppets you nailed it there, the number system was so much easier!

Ha... frantik that's pretty damn funny but I couldn't agree with you more! What I remember being pissed about (it wasn't just me because I knew a bunch of people that felt the same) the "A-name" series of components were Shimano's first entry into inferior grade goods that were made in Taiwan. Up to that point, high or low end Shimano always carried the "JAPAN" stamp. Many people that I rode with felt like Shimano was on the slide and people started turning back to Campy, Shimano put their finger in the dam by releasing the "silver" XTR line in the early '90's and that swung many back to their favor (especially since it was getting very hard to find Campy triples).

Mid to late 1980s, just "plain" Deore was mighty fine. By the 1990s, Shimano brought out the alphabet soup model names.

Thrifty Bill (wrk101), you are one funny cat! Just about every other page there's some little diddy, like the gem above, that always puts a smile on my face! Thanks man... it's always refreshing, insightful, or both to catch your contributions!

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend! With all the schnizz going on these days, getting to ride and forgot or reflect is just about as good as it gets in my opinion and I'm thankful for each and every mile that I log!!!

Peace'fo'real,

-D-