Stae and big ring, yup I agree on the agreeable tactile stuff of an old bike we spent lots of time with, and the emotional thing too.
re physical and tactile, it's like getting a downshift on a motorcycle or even car just right, the timing, just right blipping to perfectly match up when you release the clutch dipping into a corner so you don't unsettle the rear....
don't get me wrong, I have no real urge to use dt really in daily life, sti, trigger and my Gevenalles are so much safer and easier and faster....But I still enjoy the odd finger gymnastics of right hand both lever shifting, downshift up front and almost same time of an upshift at rear with other fingers or palm, finger ballet.