Re: Why is Shimano so hated by some?

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Evan Evans) wrote in 
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:

> As a frequent visitor to this group. I've noticed that there are a few
> posters who use this  as a platform to steer people against the use of
> Shimano components. What's wrong with Shimano?



Being a long time (since NR) Campy user and only use Shimano (sparingly) 
on my mtbs I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Shimano's increasing 
use of incompatable designs.  Shimano has continued to push changes in 
many areas in the name of innovation, AFAICT.  Some of these changes may 
be considered improvements and some are purely to force the consumer to 
buy more Shimano.  A perfect example are Shimano's bottom brackets.  We 
have two different spined spindles that only fit specific cranks and are 
not compatable with ISIS splines.  As if that wasn't enough Shimano is 
now selling us integral bottom brackets with their cranks.  At least one 
can still buy (for the moment) Shimano disk brakes with 6-bolt rotors so 
we don't have to buy their wheelsets.  Although, you have to look hard to 
find a vendor that carries the 6-bolt rotor brakesets.  

I guess in a nutshell I'm not fond of Shimano to two reasons.  1. Their 
attempts to force feed components to consumers.  (If they could figure 
out a way to make all the components of a gruppo work only as a gruppo 
they would.)  2.  Design change for sake of change forcing obsolesence.  
(In the long term this is a flawed business model IMHO but hey it solves 
the parts support and longevity problems.)

ALF