Originally Posted by Slaninar

2 -3 chains, one cassette per year. Plus while the 8 speed takes almost none maintenance even in bad weather, this 10 speed often needs fine tuning of the rear derailleur - and cables and housing are new and clean, since it's not ridden in poor weather.

Also I heard that 8 speed chains and cassettes are more durable.


I believe I'd be happy with bar end shifters - non indexed ones - simpler, cheaper, less fragile. Am I wrong here? Having tried the 105 and road cycling, I found out I love the seating position (or better 3 differen ones drop bars offer), the "quickness" of the bike, but I really hate having to pay like 100 euros for a broken STI lever.


Does this all plan sound crazy and do you think it is a step in the wrong direction? Most... all the roadies I know praise the 105 and 10 speeds, but they also never ride in the rain and snow which I regularly do (on a MTB equipped hybrid and MTB bikes though - but I'd like a less fragile and expensive road bike to ride in the rain too).