I've thought about the motorcycle connection myself, as the proud owner of an air-cooled, points ignition, kickstart dinosaur. In both gas-motored and human-motored two-wheelers, there will be something lighter, stiffer -- better, they say -- out every year. That's how the manufacturers make money, and there are a lot of very good marketing people whose job it is to convince members of the buying public that they should get something new.

I have found that many of the supposed improvements are noticeable only on paper, not in actual use. I know aero levers and dual-pivot brakes offer a mechanical improvement over my old centrepulls. But does riding with them actually enhance the cycling experience for me? Uh, no.

I very strongly admire simplicity, as well as the repairability of a product. Things that are truly nice are not disposable.