SRAM and Shimano have never really been big on small parts AFAIK, excwpt major wear parts like chainrings and chains. And again, how far back do you want a company to continue to produce parts for products they don't make or sell anymore?
This is why your LBS (and my bench) have a parts graveyard - I wouldn't expect them to carry most small parts, the proliferation of SKUs is already an issue, made worse by the article's complaints.
Should we switch to an auto-industry model of distributors like LORDCO carrying stock, and delivering to Uncle Lou in an hour? That might work in major metropolitan areas with a network kf shops, but isn't gonna fly in small towns. And the auto industry scale is another thing entirely. But I digress.
Nov. 2, 2018, 11:16 a.m. - Cooper Quinn
SRAM and Shimano have never really been big on small parts AFAIK, excwpt major wear parts like chainrings and chains. And again, how far back do you want a company to continue to produce parts for products they don't make or sell anymore? This is why your LBS (and my bench) have a parts graveyard - I wouldn't expect them to carry most small parts, the proliferation of SKUs is already an issue, made worse by the article's complaints. Should we switch to an auto-industry model of distributors like LORDCO carrying stock, and delivering to Uncle Lou in an hour? That might work in major metropolitan areas with a network kf shops, but isn't gonna fly in small towns. And the auto industry scale is another thing entirely. But I digress.