Dang, now that youve said that I cant unsee it

 

I do not mind the shaver look. The engineers did not want people putting their elbow on it.
I cannot remember where I read that, but it was a credible source so I filed it away in my memory.
I got my base Carrera yesterday; I can vouch that the aluminum shifter not particularly noticeable. That is accurate.
But the plastic would be noticeable to me and some people have had it visibly deteriorate.
Once you see the plastic you cannot unsee it. With the aluminum there is nothing to unsee.
Agree the price is steep... Until you try buying it on the aftermarket.