The fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter whether or not it matters. Seriously. I hope that you ride because you want to like I do. If you ride as a protest against something or someone then don't even bother. You won't get any special reward from an external source; in fact sometimes I feel that everything is working together to make my riding as difficult as possible. And yet I continue to do it. I love it. The minute I don't enjoy it, I can and will stop doing it, no remorse no regrets.

Now, to drift off topic...

Hey, I like having some more redundant gears!........not. I still use 7-speed stuff. I intend to still be using it in 10 years. You should still be able to find parts which will work, though you will have to be circumspect and a little more determined. Naturally bike shops aren't going to encourage you but you don't have to let that stop you. Heck, even 6-speed freewheels are still available (albeit they are not top of the line) and I have no trouble finding 7-speed cassettes. I use thumb shifters - they last forever. Rear derailleurs are usually backwards compatible so no problem there. Hubs/Wheels are the most difficult but they are always out there if you look. Of course if they are of any quality these parts should last for a long time, that's part of the reason I prefer them. For me it's about 50/50 technical reasons vs pig-headed stubborness. Ok, 40/60. But that's it.