Originally Posted by late

A retrogrouch is somebody who does it the old fashioned way, because it's the better way. Friction shifters rarely need looking after, larger tires last longer, get fewer flats, and are comfier.
Steel lasts longer than you will.

That's the beauty of the old way. You buy one good bike and your done. Once a year you get a tuneup, and that's that. You ride it.
Once in a while you clean it. In my family Sis has a seven speed, wifey has a 8 speed, and I have a 9 speed. The 7 speed stuff lasts forever, it even seems to turn with less friction, and believe me, it
is entry level components.

Like most people, the lure of STI was too much. But there is a real appeal to having a bike that doesn't hardly ever get flats, doesn't go out of whack, and doesn't really need anything besides a rider and a monthly cleaning.