When it comes to bicycles, all "improvements" beyond the first velocipede were and are "marketing crap." They still make velocipedes, so even those aren't obsolete (though they are mostly for little kids), and the latest Super Record equipped Pinarello is not necessarily any better. The point is, new developments can only be meaningful to the extent that they can be appreciated. I try not to be a retro-grouch, but the virtues of 11 cogs over 10 are negligible and practically worthless compared to the virtues of a drivetrain with variable gears over Fred Flintstone style pedaling, or some brakes over none at all.
While there are, from time to time, some misguided "improvements" (like the penny-farthing), I agree that it is generally ********ed to argue against advancements in design, but it's just as silly to argue that anyone is necessarily missing out on anything important by foregoing most of them, and it's annoying when marketers and ill-informed proselytizers insist upon widespread adoption.
Last edited by kbarch; 12-03-14 at 07:19 AM.