There is a definite group of 7700/7800 riders out there who prefer them and hoard them.
Most of them, based on those I've met from Indiana's Hilly Hundred and RAIN to NC's Blue Ridge Parkway, VA's Thunder Ridge, and fast movers in St. Lois, are young, fit, fast, and they will not give up their "non-routed" STI's. To the point where I've seen newer Tarmacs with 7700 and 7800. The madness doth have method.