Originally Posted by CharlesC

Major manufacturer component upgrades are mostly designed to enhance their profits. I ride a Fisher HooKooEKoo mtb and a custom road bike I constructed in the 1970's. I've upgraded saddles to appease my old bony butt and changed things like handle bars to fit my urge to be different, but the major components still work perfect. The only modern item I find interesting are new era V-brakes and disc brakes. Most of them are much more effecient particularly on mountain bikes and can be used with one finger as opposed to my old grab and pray brakes. A new set of brake pads every 15 years or so would probably help there.