The 8-speed seemed like a no brainer at the time with the price differential as mentioned but the extra weight and noise of the 8-speed should be considered. The noise doesn't bother me so much because, considering my age, I'm half deaf. All in all, I'm happy I chose the 8-speed because it fits the bike I put it on: a Raleigh Twenty. The Twenty has a high geek factor to begin with. The SA-8 certainly adds to it.