Thanks. I guess one reason I asked was that a lot of manufacturers' websites list components without explaining the advantages of the components. (Breezer was one exception; they explained, although briefly, why the Shimano Deore-equipped bike costs more than the Shimano Alivio-equipped model.)

I've seen this phenomenon with cars: car buyers will pick up terms from the manufacturers' advertisements and throw them around ("throttle-body fuel injection!!!") without understanding what they mean. They buy things that sound good, but they have no real understanding of what they've bought. I'd like to avoid this when I buy a new bike.

So, again, any insights would be helpful.