I have a relatively recent model Specialized Allez (2018) with an 8 speed Claris groupset, it's perfectly fine (for reference I have an 11 speed CX bike). Depending on the type of riding I'm doing (generally a workout) sometimes the jump from like 17t to 15t is a little more than I'd really want but for the vast majority of my riding it's great. People like to tell themselves their experience will be subpar if they get anything below shimano 105 level or whatever and that just isn't true.