Originally Posted by Camilo

As a marginally related example -ratcheting up the discussion from friction/indexed to mechanical/electronic: my wife and I have - and really enjoy - electronic shifting bikes with hydraulic disc brakes. But when it comes to extensive travel away from home with our RV, often in rural areas (read sparse and basic bike shops), cable shifting and brakes is better because of the more likely ability to find and replace every single part at least with something that will work. I doubt if I could even get an AXS battery locally in most of the places we travel.