Wold Ranger":3qc2dcv7 said:
...V brakes are lighter and far more user serviceable than discs(last months MBR, who cite 60 percent of all service enquiries are for disc brake reliability problems!!) Tubeless tyres are a waste of time (this months MBUK! Just too much trouble!- ever tried mending a trailside flat with them!) What goes around comes around eh?
You could also conclude that 60% of MBR readers are complete morons.
I haven't read through all the previous responses, but personally I find that most technically challenged riders cope much better with disc brakes and changing a set of pads than trying to align a set of V brake blocks or set up cantis. The shop mechanics (that I know) who have been in the game long enough also back this up.
As for tubeless. I've never had a single problem in 6 years of riding. I've helped a few mates mend a trailside flat with them and its exactly the same as putting a tube in a standard tyre.
I think the main difference between then and now is that the average rider today expects to be able to jump on their bike everyday and it just work just like they drive their car. When I was a similar age you actually had to know how to fix something (or work it out by trial and error, reading a manual etc) rather than sending off a dumb email or posting stupid questions on forums asking how to put air into your fork etc etc...