My beef with 11 speed isn't function, or even form (though longevity of a 11 speed chain plate and rivet vs an 8 speed probably is somewhat less). It is the lack of ease with which you can perform emergency fixes of the chain afield. Even the quick links offered for 11 speed are disposable, and a bit difficult to remove. Then there is the matter of cost. A reliable and reasonably performing 8/9 speed chain can be found for under $20 at most shops and will get along swimmingly with most 8/9 setups. Getting the proper campy chain for 11 speed is probably going to run you over $40 and finding a properly performing campy chain is not something a typical out state mom and pop LBS might even carry (much less for 40 bones). Sure they might have something that would work less well than the campy chain, but then you're left with an underperforming setup for $40 plus that disposable link (which isn't even a campy part).

Consider it minor griping, but it's just one of what's becoming several things we didn't have to worry about not all that long ago. Other examples of things that needn't be as they are:

• Special lockrings for 11 vs 12/13.
• Disposable brifters on the bottom end of the campy lineup instead of rebuildable deeper into the line (of course SRAM and shimano are disposable across the line, so again just another minor thing we now have to worry about)
• PT crank removal "process" vs using the same tool for lockring and BB removal
• Single pivot rear brakes only on the top stuff, is single pivot really a "new technology" that they can't offer it on their 10s groups?
• Lack of real FD trim on all but the top end stuff (meaning if it gets off a bit afield, then mess with barrels while riding or stop/fix, vs on the fly).

All of the big mfr's are as guilty as campy in many of the above regards (I shudder to think of hydraulic brakes and "rechargeable shifting"). I guess my point is that with the youth end being so SRAM/Shimano focused, campy could offer really high quality and reliable groups that fix all of the above gripes, with great performance, whilst looking stunning, but they have decided not to. Everyone's a racer now, apparently nobody's just a rider. We used to have it all.