Why did many bicycle brands abandon Brooks-style all-leather saddles for Unicanitor-style (leather cover over a plastic shell)? Was it cost or weight? Let's face it - the whole 1970s fewer-spoke/drillium fad was all about shaving-off a few precious ounces (possibly important to a pro-cyclist in a long climb but otherwise magrinally benificial to the rest of us).
My personal opinion is that market "hype" is often a potent factor in many cycling "innovations". Some are truly worthwhile, but others you sometimes have to wonder about.
Steve Whitting
Prairieville, Louisiana USA
http://ciocc-cat.angelfire.com/