We're not getting a broader range of gears going from 8 to 9, 10 OR 11. The only benefit is having smaller increments of gear ratios (aka: steadier cadence).

Do you ever pass on shifting because you know you're going to just shift back in a second? If so, going up to 11 is pointless.

Incorrect.... For instance the 11 speed 12-28 breaks down like this..... 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25-28. Essentially it the same spread as a 10speed 12-25 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25) plus a added climb gear. To me that is quite a bit broader.

Another way to look at it. What you lose to gain the 28 with the 10 speed.
Looking at a comparable 10 speed to get the 28 you need to go with.
11-12-13-14-14-15-17-18-21-24-28
You gain the 11, lose the 16 and split the difference between the 23 and 25 with a 24.

Assuming a 50/34 the 16 gives you gear inches of 82.1 and 55.8. You can get close to 55.8 with the 50/24 combo that comes in at 54.8. The gap is really the 82.1 that the 50/16 gave you. You can only get close if you are willing to cross chain and go with the 34-11 = 81.2. For most riders you would be looking at the 50/15 = 87.6 or the 50/17 =77.3

Looking at the 24 it gives you 54.8 and 37.2. While the 23 and 25 would have given you 35.8, 38.8, 52.6 and 57.1. I think most riders could live with the 24. Now the 10 speed does give you the 11. with the 11 cog ot get 119 compared to the max of 109 with the 12 but that would not come into play for a lot of riders, except for on the hills that they needed the 28 to get up.

But that missing 16 is really where you can see the benefit. This could be solved if you could get a 12-28 10 speed with the 16. But I don't think that animal exist.

I think you can get the 12-27 10 speed which may be enough.

I've only got 40km on mine so no real opinions formed but it's what I wanted. I always wanted Dura Ace and was finally able to afford it.

Has anyone actually sat down and figured out the gear inches for their 11 speed vs. 10 or 9 speed? I'd bet there's more overlap/duplication in the 11, essentially negating the extry cog...unless you have that extra low gear on the 11.

10 speed triple has all the gears that I need. 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-28
30-39-50

8 speed is a bit lacking, although durable.

9 speed, haven't tried it, but looking at chain and cassette prices for 10 speed, I'd much rather have a 9 speed triple:
12-13-14-15-16-17-19-23-27


10 speed is marketing, I bought a sale price 105 10s group, it was cheaper than a 9speed Sora and "future proof", but at regular price, I'd rather go for 9 speed.

Incorrect: Shimano Ultegra option 6

https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont...0.-type-..html

You must not be familiar with the pain of trying to shift up on FSA rings while applying any sort of power. Honestly, shifting is no better than my 80s suntour group.

Must say I never noticed or at least paid any attention to that option. The upper spacing is horrendous though but I can see where it would useful.

As an 11spd owner I have not gone through the actual gear inches, but like I said earlier. Building from scratch the 11spd was incidental once I found out that most companies had reasonably priced options on wheels (cassette aside for now). As someone mentioned I never "don't want better or more gearing", if it works well, services well, and can stand up to strong riders then I say that's fine by me! Is it marketing, hype, sure perhaps it is, but so was "SIS" Shimano Index Shifting back in the 80's when we all laughed and said that it was bs for those that can't shift smoothly, which of course turned out to be the predecessor for "STI" Shimano Total Integration (Brake/shift levers combined), which added weight and complexity. But all of this marketing hype turned into functional and helpful changes to the industry that made riding a lot more fun and accessible for many people both on and off road.

My 11-28, feels good on my knees, shifts superbly (even better than my DA 7800), and happens to have 11 speeds, I'd add that the new brakes are the best I've ever used for anyone who happens to be looking for a full group!

Costs more, lasts less...

Shimano STI - cost an arm and a leg to buy, sensitive to hits, dirt, practicaly can't be repaired. Great idea to make money.

The problem with all that "progress" is that it's meant to make money. I know some people who were paid to make things break down after a certain time. Paid by the company that produces those same things. Market economy, planned obsolesence. They will tell you it's for your benefit, but it's just a way to get more money.

I'm sure it is.

I'd be more than happy wih nine (for group rides), or eight (for solo riding) cassettes, chains, derailleurs.

Problem with progress is that it's meant to make money... not sure why that's a problem, that's how economies work at least until utopia is created.

At any rate, don't want to argue... FWIW one of my old bikes with first gen Shimano 600 brifters is still in service, those would date back to around 1990 I think, could be wrong but regardless 23 years seems pretty good. albeit I like to keep the economy pumping and am happy to spend reasonable dollars. I'll give you the planned obsolescence bit does bother me at times but I'm intelligent enough to know that marketing hyperbole is just that, and make my own rational decisions as to what I need (or want) and purchase accordingly.