Originally Posted by
Longfemur
It's because consumers have long expected lighter alloy (and now carbon) components even on more utilitarian bikes. When typical transportation-type 10 speeds were made with all steels components, and all the lubricated parts could be lubed with an oil can in just a few minutes, a bike could literally go for almost decades with very minimal attention if any. They were heavy, but the upshot was that they required very little maintenance. They were also pretty simple to work on if you did develop a problem. But we all want light, and the price we pay is more frequent adjustment and overhaul.
How do alloy and carbon parts require more maintenance than their steel counterparts?
I love to work on old bikes but in my experience, they are in fact more work. I've spent hours just trying get the damn brakes to quit squealing. Then there's the bearing repacking and adjusting. Modern clearcoat finishes last much longer than the finishes of the 70's did with much less attention.
I remember rubbing and waxing my old steel wheels to try to keep the rust off and them chewing up brake pads in a matter of months.
My nostalgia filter remembers things a little bit differently.