being a home mechanic and liking to tinker isn't a "very specific use case". the fact that bikes are simple enough for an average doofus to understand and work on them is one of the core virtues of bicycles, full stop.

One thing I enjoy with bikes is that I am self sufficient, and frugal. I can do everything on my bike if needed. I could learn to with hydraulics, but it does not seem to be pressing issue

My cable actuated disc brakes work just fine. I don’t need the hassle of hydraulic brakes.

I don't race. I don't gravel. I don't mountain bike. I am an urban commuter bicyclist. I'll keep my gd cable rim brakes, thank you very much.

Ive got 4 kids and 8 bikes to take care of. I'm really falling in love with 8-9 speed with mechanical brakes vs our 11-12 speed with hydraulics. So forgiving and cheap.

I'm 70 and have cycled most of my life in mountainous terrain.  I've used every kind of braking system imaginable!
For me, there is no greater feeling than the tactile feedback you get from a cabled braking system!

Yes there is a blanket statement that is valid "Bicycling Is BLISS, No Matter What Your Ride".

For me - the simpler the bike, the better. That's what I love these machines for. I built all my bikes from scratch and while riding, I enjoy every mechanical interaction with them. In a world full of battery-powered equipment, it's like a new level of freedom. Besides, the TRP Spyres SLC with some Japanese Versah pads, TRP RRL levers and Jagwire KEB-SL cables brakes really well :)

Yes yes yes. Cable brakes are great! Don’t need hydros if you set em up right!!

Cable Disc Brakes 4 Life. I don't need any more specialized tools in my garage.

The home mechanic angle cannot be overstated. I live nowhere near an LBS and my bikes are my only mode of transport.  I have to be able to make them work at home. I sold a bike with force axs 12 speed (hydraulic obviously) and built a bike with friction shifting and growtac brakes. If you rely on your bike, it’s not just a toy to you, then home repair ability is not a “nice to have” it’s a must.

As a road cyclist, someone who appreciates the concept of keep it simple stupid and as someone who enjoys working on my own bikes, I find hydraulic brakes an unnecessary complication and otherwise completely unpreferable to cable brakes.

I was reading an article on the mechanical failures from different Tour Divide riders and its interesting to note the different failure modes. Indeed, peanut butter mud does not seem to care how much or who made your components. I distinctly remember a rider who had her front bag rubbing the hydraulic hose until it sprung a leak, far away from bike shops. The thing about mechanical systems isn't just about whether its reliable or not but what you can actually carry and hence fix when the failure does occur.

I ride brevets and at those distances, being able to fix my bike in order to push on is important.

I have bikes with rim brakes, coaster brakes, cable disc brakes, hydraulic disc brakes and even no brakes. They're all good IMO. And yes, hydraulic discs are awesome, at least until they're not... Which has happened to me more than once.

I agree with all of your points.

Too often we get caught up with the numbers;  whatever is best on paper is considered the best overall-  but that often contradicts with reality.  

Another way of putting it:       “In theory, there’s no difference between theory and practice.  In practice there is.”

good rant. Technology and subsequent cost as well as much more complicated maintenance is what is killing the bike industry. Over the '80's, 90's, and early 2000's the industry built A LOT of really great bikes at reasonable prices with owner maintenance as a huge part of the concept. Parts were bulletproof, and relatively simple to maintain with a mini tool and a pair of pliers (please don't use pliers, but in a pinch....). The frames were very solidly built, mostly with cromoly steel (still a fabulous ride). Stuff was built tough. Unfortunately for the bike industry they are now being haunted by the fact that all those millions of bikes are out there, and most people are still fine riding them, especially since new bikes are ridiculously expensive, and have planned obsolescence built in, 3 years from now that $7,000 mtb or road bike is going to need serious upgrades..... Story: I used to work at a backpacking store where we sold a fair amount of sea kayaks and rec kayaks. I love sea kayaking and really got into open water seakayaking and ALL the gear associated (just my bent). Many of the other employees also got into serious open water sea kayaking. There came a couple of store meetings with employees and staff with many suggesting that we ONLY sell high end sea kayaks (price range in the 90's being $2,500 -$7,000+). So me, like the big mr know-it-all pulled out sales orders of boats: Rec kayaks: 600 sold in 3 months; high end sea kayaks: 12 sold in 12 months. You tell me what style of boat was keeping the doors to the shop open. I feel that somewhere in some dark, dank back room of each of these Big Bike companies, there's some accountant screaming at the top of his lungs about similar figures I mentioned above, but the guys and gals upstairs think that the only way up is MORE TECHNOLOGY, when all the time they are being haunted by their own past with people turning to those 80's-00's bike which are still working fine, easier to maintain, and parts available by the truck loads that these companies created and pumped into the industry. I mean there still must be enormous warehouses full of older parts because so many of the Walmart, big box type stores are still putting freewheels on most of their bikes (in my estimation freewheels are neanderthal tech).  I think it's great the industry is doing all the tech r&d they are. It's cool and important (sort of). It is probably really great for all the serious racer out there. But to force expensive tech and subsequent expensive bikes on the general public, stating that it's the only way forward is just criminal, and suicidal. Sorry for the long a** rant, but the big boys don't seem to understand that they have a small martket and it is NOT an ever expansive market that will absorb so much forced frivolity. I love all my bikes, all are 80's-00's. There may be some new ones that may be out there that I might like also. In my mind simplicity and self sufficiency rank right up there when choosing new bikes. I'm 66, been riding since I was a kid in the late 60's. I've watched a lot of tech change, but still basically remain the same, just techy-er and more costly. I think the industry had it right in the 80's-early 00's. I really hope someone in corporate listens to that crazy screaming accountant in that dark, dank backroom so we can get back to reality and affordable bikes.

I'll stick to cable pull components, I know I can fix anything I need to fix on the trail.

Great response too that comment Russ 👍

I have Tektro Aries mecanical disc brakes on my "entry level" diamondback full suspension mtb. They weren't great out of box, but I upgraded the housing to jagwire Compressionless housing and switched to a better brake pad compound, and now it's pretty easy to eject yourself over the bars if you're not mindful. Hydros are nice, but as Russ said, mecanicals are practically as good when set up well.

I love mechanical brakes, but when a $50 hydraulic can match the performance of a $250 mechanical, it’s a tough sell.