can I add my two cents? as far as the TA crankset you may ant to consider Campi ergo. I think that will give the best results as the shifter does not have fixed spots for the derailuer. (shimano may work the same but the ones I used to work on were not as forgiving)
and I agree about shinny things. all this black and carbon finish is getting boring and uninsiring.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk