Originally Posted by
Moisture
What are cable stops for?
What sort of shifters should I look into? Maybe some of those thumb friction shifters?
What about strap in pedals? I think I may have to go back to those, because I tend to pedal flat footed over the middle of the pedal rather than with the ball of my foot like I should be. Also, I think my seat is set too low.
would I be better off riding some sort of commuter bike if this is the sort of style I like?
Get rid of the clamp-on cable stop thing you have now with cable stops that bolt onto the downtime shifter bosses. This is a cosmetic issue, not functional.
MTB-type integrated brake/shifter levers would be my choice to put all the controls in my hands without having to take my hands off the bars to shift. This has been the standard for 25+ years - road and MTB.
My suggestion is proper cycling shoes with a stiff sole and clipless pedals. You won't get the same result from just clips and straps with non-cleated shoes.
If this is the style bike you like, a "hybrid" is probably the bike for you, with tires to suit your terrain.