On Tue, Oct 19, 2010 at 12:04 PM, Beth H <periwinkle...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > Here's a little more reality for you: > > I spoke with a very knowledgable wholsale rep yesterday who told me > that we should expect to see all things 8-speed fade away in perhaps > two to three years. This is because of Mountain 10 drivetrains (10 x 2 > or 10 x 3), which use basically the same components that road 10-speed > systems do and are therefore easier to mass-produce for big companies > like SRAM and Shimano. He had spoken with folks at both Shimano and > SRAM during the Interbike show and apparently they hinted at this > reality coming down the line. Said rep was told that continued support > for 8-speed drivetrains was not as profitable because it required > companies to produce two different kinds of chaincs and cassette cogs. > Basing both road and mountain drivetrains on a 10-speed system, with > its narrower chains and thinner cassette cogs, would simplify > production quicky. (It would also mean more sales, since these parts > wear out sooner; though the SRAM technician refused to comment on that > and guy from Shimano would only hint at it in the vaguest language.) > > Based on discussions I had two years ago when Shimano stopped making 5- > speed freewheels and the only remaining choices were Sunrace (ick) and > IRD (decent, but expensive), I would say that this estimate bears more > than a shred of truth. > > If you like 8-speed, this would be a good time to look for sales. > Don't forget that you'll want to stock up on 8-speed compatible > chains, too, since these will eventually fade like cassettes (though > not quite as quickly). > > As for me, I've got a sizable stash of refurbished five- and six-speed > freewheels that will fit on my Phil hubs... > Beth "I'm not paranoid, just pragmatic" Hamon > > --
I see this as already-pretty-much the case: you can find 8 speed chains and cassettes which are ok and I expect them to be around for many years; there are just too many bikes out there with 8 speed drivetrains, and low-end bikes still ship with new 8 speed Shimano stuff. But the bummer is finding good quality 8-speed stuff: shifters and cassettes mainly. The XTR cassettes dried up at the LBS's a long time ago. You can still get them on ebay, but they are pricey. I'm ok with SRAM 8 spd but they're no XTR. Shifting is a killer already: good luck finding 8-spd DT shifters or good STI systems under $100. That's a bummer. I'm all for friction but for CX or mountain biking with drop bars, I like STI. And I like indexed DT shifters... I suppose I'll switch to 9 speeds in a couple years when my current stock of STI stuff finally blows up for good. -- John Speare Spokane, WA USA http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
