I have an 1988 Olmo road bike with Modolo (Campy knock-off) brakes & levers that really suck and non-indexed shifters that I'm okay with keeping. Modern brakes seem so much better these days, so I want to replace the Modolos. I'm looking at Shimano Ultegra or 105.
My problem is that new brakes are so much different from my old ones, and I'm not sure how to make sure they'll work with the rest of my configuration. Let me count the ways:
1) Will "dual pivot" caliper brakes work on an older frame? It's a short-reach racing frame with Columbus tubes and fork, and the brakes use recessed hex bolts. Pretty standard, I think.
2) Will I need to buy new levers? I've heard that the distance the cable travels in old levers won't work with newer dual pivot brakes. (Would buying normal single-pivot caliper brakes mean that I don't need new levers? Are there any good single-pivot brakes these days?)
3) If I need new levers, can I get new levers for new brakes that don't have indexed shifting built in? I don't want to replace my whole derailleur/shifters just yet. Alternately, can I install brakes with shifters but leave the shifting feature uninstalled?
4) I currently have old-style cables, not under-the-tape aero cables. If I have to buy new levers, is there anything that I need to do with my old handlebars (besides replacing the tape, of course)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. What a great message board, I think I'll be spending a lot of time here!!