Square Taper v Octalink

[Blue Hills]

Shimmy do make some gear barely, if at all, fit for purpose. Their cheapo cranks are either pig iron that would give Geoff Capes a hernia, or alloy so cheap the crank makes an Aero bar feel heavy. Their basic components are rife with cheap and inadequate materials.

Of course, the boys above have a point. El Cheapo specials are liable to have been assembled by someone like User wearing boxing gloves after 6 bottles of cider, which does nothing to enhance longevity.

mm

I fear that with this comment, tone and content, you have undermined your points.
And you still don't name any particular Shimano kit as shoddy or good.
I rather have the impression that though one MAY get decent service out of an Octalink you are pretty much guaranteed to out of a square taper - barring the ever-present possibility with anything of an individual dud.
I also have the impression that square taper spares might be easier to get hold of over a greater spread of the planet.
So I think I'll be square taper with the next bike.
I took one out of my hybrid cum tourer the other day and reminded myself how incredibly heavy they are considering their size.
But I actually found this reassuring.

<I stress again that all this relates to everyday tourer type bikes - don't expect Cavendish to be lusting after one>