aggiegrads

Don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say that everyone moves on from SPDs - I said that many do.

Your second argument may have some merit, but the exact examples that you use are bogus. All of their teams were sponsored by Shimano at the time. If they were paying me to do so, I would ride XTRs too.

I have the luxury of riding the equipment that I choose, as do most amateur riders. I doubt that most world tour riders get to choose each component that they ride.