Originally Posted by
richnh
I rode a little at my bike shop this weekend. The highest end components I tried were SLX RD on a 2014 Trek DS 8.5. I tried to exercise both derailleurs as much as possible and I didn't notice much difference at all between that and my 20 year old components. In fact, they were quite a bit louder too. Maybe not lubricated yet.
I understand my ability to really put them thru their paces is limited on a test ride. But I didn't see the seamless shifting or value to drop over $1K. And believe me, I was looking for every excuse to get a new bike.
You sir have made my day. So many people come onto this forum, ask questions about a bike they liked at the shop, and get steered towards all sorts of unnoticable upgrades or brands or materials that wouldn't make much of a difference at all (except to confuse and to cost more). You saw right through it. Sure there is improvement to be had in the newer bikes and technology, but only up to a point. After that its just buckets of cash in someone elses pocket.