FiveAlpha wrote:
So, do you prefer to see showroom-style full, matching groups, or interesting, eclectic mixes of components?
It is interesting to note that people who do time trialling still go for mix and match, primarily because no groupset has ever been introduced that is ideal for this discipline. The gearing options are next to useless and you end up going for lighter/more aero parts from other component makers.
What is interesting to note as a general observation is that groupsets are all basically a variant of the top of the range groupset, with cheaper components with less exotic materials as you go down the range, to Ultegra, 105 etc. The top groupsets (Dura-Ace/Record etc.) are designed primarily for road racing, so what all groupsets are, are essentially components for a road racing bike. If you don't do road races or indeed if you compete in TTs then you usually end up going for custom parts such as carbon chainrings and custom cassette ratios. If you are into touring, then you are still better going for a triple, so again you end up going for a custom option.