MAY 30 - Sorta Cutting Edge News
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Your Call on the Integrated Issue
A few weeks ago I broached the issue of integrated components. A number of companies are building components that are only compatible with like branded components—Shimano and SRAM shifters that require specific Shimano and SRAM derailleurs, Cannondale bottom brackets that are only compatible with Cannondale cranksets, a rash of bike company headsets that only work within that company’s bike frames, etc.
The integrated thing is nothing new—it goes back to Shimano Positron (if not earlier). My question to you was, “Is this a good or bad thing?” Here were a few of the more polished (less vulgar) responses:
Why Fight It?
Yeah, Shimano owns the market. Yeah, there’s less choice. Yeah, it’s depressing to see that other companies have joined the game and are making parts that only work with their own parts. But the stuff works. Works better than a lot of that purple-anodized crap ever did. Less choice sucks, but good parts rule. Why fight it?
Sid
Via Internet
Big Bummer
Whatever happened to compatibility. Jesus—with all the bullshit integrated headsets out there, you’d think consumers would wake up and care about this stuff. Sure, it all works right now, but what happens when your proprietary headset is worn out and there are no replacement bearings. (How’re those people with those early Schwinn ICBMs doing? Can I get a shout? How about a whimper?). All those people who think integrated components are great, can tell me that after they’ve tossed out their $1,000 framesets because they can’t get replacement bearings for them and their soft aluminum head-tube is shredded to hell.
You know, what used to make this sport cool is that you could cobble shit together and it actually worked. I’ve worked in a shops—I know how scarce those replacement parts become. I’m sticking with my old eight-speed stuff. It’s outdated, but it works. I’ll see you guys with the million-dollar broken parts down the trail in a few.
Ted Coleman
Charlotte, North Carolina
Have You Even Tried It?
Jesus, what a bunch of whining. Look, have you even tried the new XTR? It works. Works great, in fact. Stop whining and just ride the stuff. You sound like the guys who complained that suspension forks and clipless pedals were going to ruin mountain biking. Get over it.
Bonzai
Via Internet
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