Originally Posted by
GeoKrpan
I went the opposite direction. I just got a brand new chromoly steel road bike with........downtube shifters!
I had forgotten how quickly and cleanly they shift. Better, really, than my Dura Ace STI bike.
The problem is the long cables and cable housing. The cables are much shorter with downtube shifters and there is only that one piece of housing at the derailleur.
I can't dispute that the downtube shifters on your new bike shift better than the Dura Ace STI, but I can say that I would give up a little shifting performance for not having to move my hands from the bar to shift. I never could get used to downtube shifters on my old road bike.
I know there are others who prefer not having their shifter on the brake lever. It is good they make many options; so, we can all be happy.