They're very easy to shift from from the drops. Like Campy, the brake lever only is for braking. The big shift lever is a lot like Campy's. I shift it, from the drops, with my middle two fingers, and they find it and move it in, easily. There's a decent little "click" detent for the shift. Swing it in like a madman, you get 2-3 cogs, but so far, the chain has hit them dead-on and no chatter, no manipulation required to "seat" it back onto a cog (are you listening, Campy?) Moving down the cogs is easier on these, than either Shimano or Campy. Yep, I said that. It's a rectangular "button" on the upper outside of the big lever. Even with numb fingers, moving down the cogs is accurate, easy, and a no-brainer. It's one-at-time in that direction, but you don't exactly get behind the curve on mashing, anyway.

Shifting from the hoods is identical to Campy moving up, much easier moving down. The outside button is just so much easier to manipulate, and almost seems to have a spring assist; it's lighter and more deft.

About the same width as Shimano's 1st generation 9-sp, but a little more round, and not as much rubber there. Not being a hood rider, I can't really relate. When I mounted them, I went ahead and wrapped "fat" above the shifter, so when I do ride the hoods (only for numbness relief), I can get circulation going quicker.

After three rides, I sort of like them. I'm learning to trust the throw to move the chain, and no longer over-feeling or over-listening. I'm dead quiet in 8 gears, a little FD rub on the outer/outer. Moving down the cogs is bump and run. I lubed the chain, lubed the FD/RD a bit, and took it for 15 hard miles today. No problems. It's a braze-on FD, and the limit screws don't work exactly like Shimano, or Campy, so I've probably adjusted it 3 times already. It just sits inside too far. If you bring it out using the inner screw, it shuts down all range in the FD completely. I think it's the mounting distances, so I'll put a spacer behind the FD mounting tab. If that doesn't work, I'll just use a Campy braze-on FD. They always seem to work.

Thanks for the info Rob, I'll add a set to my list.

Its not yet built up but these are the bits that will be used.

The Groupset is 9 speed, and I have some retro red Look "delta" pedals but i have not yet decided between the saddles ,although I favour the black special, I still need some cinelli 26.4 bars as I have a stem ready to go .

Thanks so very much. :)

Sick. That is going to be one nice bike. Love the Vento wheels. Cant wait to see it all together.


...
My Bianchi after a nice ride through the country.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...psaf06282f.jpg

Nice! What's that quill stem adapter?

deda spada, available from probikekit

I was thinking anything that originally came with downtube shifters would qualify since we are talking about bikes being upgraded to STI/Ergos. Bring 'em on!

Mercian King of Mercia, Ultegra 9 Components, Durace Headset, TTT Bars, http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276144http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276145http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276146Cheapo Specialized saddle, Ritchey Stem (I badly want to replace both) Velocity AeroHead Rims, Shimano STX Cantilever brakes.

Don't make an old man dizzy. Here:

Mercian King of Mercia, Ultegra 9 Components, Durace Headset, TTT Bars, Cheapo Specialized saddle, Ritchey Stem (I badly want to replace both) Velocity AeroHead Rims, Shimano STX Cantilever brakes.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...4&d=1348774990

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1348774995

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1348775001

Okay, I'm confused (frankly, that's not hard to do)...cantilever brakes on a road bike? I notice the eyes for a rack on the fork, originally a tourer? Doesn't look clunky enough for that. :)

It's a graceful tourer, moving with a style and ease....

I was thinking that it was too svelte to hang panniers on. Dang, that's a pretty bike! :beer:

My Bianchi after a nice ride through the country.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...psaf06282f.jpg[/QUOTE]

Beautiful. I have the same frame, and I'm really digging the Zonda's on yours.

My freshly built, made-in-Spain Fabio Barecci.

I don't know much about this frame, as I can't find anything on who Fabio is or was. A couple of these bikes can be found in Spain, but it is doubtful they were ever imported here and I'm beginning to think this might be the only example here. I need a Spaniard to chime in on this one! Anyway, Columbus Aelle frame with internal cabling, nice lug work with windows, fork crowns. The paint is a standout, reminiscent of Colnago's Master series, or Casati's. Went with yellow walled tires, bar tape and cables to go with the yellow frame accents. This is also my first Campy equipped bike and now I know why everyone loves it. Also my first brifter bike, and it really can spoil you.

You can go to my full write-up on this bike here - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=barecci

http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/w...mcav/001-1.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/jimcav/010.jpg
http://i733.photobucket.com/albums/ww339/jimcav/009.jpg

I believe the original frame owner must have had racks all over this thing. Oh and regarding the cantilever brakes...why not on a road bike? Plus I did want to have the old braze-ons sitting there exposed on the Fork (it was all about vanity). Admittedly, they don't have stellar stopping power when used with the integrated system.

Thanks for the compliment. I was afraid when I was building it that the red would be too much, but it seems to work (for me anyway).

Oh, Fabio!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=276329

Ohhh, it's that Fabio!!!?:roflmao:

I should have known! How could I miss it? But don't you think that if it's this Fabio, he would have a portrait painted on the bike instead of a signature?:D

Thanks for the compliment Robbie!

Thanks Southpaw!:thumb:

My daily rider.

http://mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/normandy6.jpg

http://mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/normandy7.jpg

before:

http://mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/normandy1a.jpg


and now 8speed thanks to ergos from RobbieTunes

http://mmaygraphics.com/Transfer3/Co...anremo3www.jpg

Ooh, that is nice. First time I've seen the double dose of brown leather and liked it.
I'll bet all the girls are swooning down on the Walk....
What tubing is that?

The Coppi is Aelle, the Peugeot Triathalon is 501. I wish it was super vitus. The wrap is cork with shellac.