[donmaq]

> You spend a long time arguing the opposite with your bicycle argument. The government never forced them to standardize and they did.

They really didn't though. From different axel widths forcing older ones obsolete (ie my 10yo $450 Chris King hub in perfect condition 135x10QR now has precisely zero frames it will fit), to actual wheel sizes themselves (26" wheel frame are nearly impossible to find, outside of Dirt Jumping), the bike industry is busily doing their own version of 'embrace & extend'.

There's even electronic shifting now, adding a teensy bit of advantage to rich roadies, while removing the ability to fix your own derailleur.