Originally Posted by
spectastic
if you're having trouble shifting in the drops, maybe it's a good idea to consider compact handlebars, if you haven't already. I used to have a crappy ergo handlebar that came with the bike. I couldn't shift/brake in the drops unless I moved my hand to reach for it. After switching to a compact handlebar, my fingers can wrap around the levers easily.
It's not quite the handlebars but rather the leverage that goes into the shift levers. From the top they shift well and from the bottom I hear them click but the chain just start "skipping" on the cassette but not changing. That was later adjusted when I went back to my LBS and now they shift from a slight touch. For the race they were badly adjusted. I guess the shift levers have a bit of flex to them.