Road Cycling - Shifting? WANTED- Bike

Can someone tell me their opinion on which shifters on a road bike they prefer between the downtube shifters and the STI shifters? I have just recently decided I want to road bike and I don't have a lot of money to buy a new one so if I should go older or newer bike with newer shifters?

P.S.- If anyone wants to sell a decent road bike for somewhat cheap let m know thx

What do you consider cheap? You're budget would really determine what you get on the bike and what you kind of bike you will get.

As for STI vs downtube that is definately a personal preference I love my Campy Ergo shifters.

I think it all depends on how much money you want to spend. I personally never really liked downtube shifters. When I bought my first roadbike, only the upper end models had Ergo or STI and I couldn't afford those. I then looked at other options including bar-con shifters but finally ended up settling on mounting MTB-style GripShifts at the end of my dropbars. The upgrade was pretty cheap, the setup really clean and they worked great by allowing me to shift without moving too far to the downtube. That was back in 1993. Nowadays STI and Ergo have been trickled all the way down through the lineup for almost half a decade so it's likely that even if you do buy used, you can pick up a brake-hood mounted shifter equipped bike as long as you don't look too far back. For a used bike, I would personally concentrate first on the quality and condition of the fit and frame before worrying about components which can eventually be upgraded. BTW, even though STI and Ergo are more popular, you can still get new bikes with downtube shifters if you want.

Lance still uses a downtube shifter on his climbing bike, so you're in good company if you use them :)

I have two road bike I will sell for cheap. One is built the other I can put together. Both will have STI shifting. I would not go back to down tube shifting.

Dwatson - How much would you sell for and what are the sizes?? And thanks for the advice

I was in a similar situation and had no choice but to get downtube shifters. Though I'd prefer STI (the ones on the brake levers, right?) I've gotten used to the downtubes. Only problem is that sometimes I can't really shift well while pedaling because my knees get in the way. Other than that, it was worth saving about $200 :D Got some much-needed shorts, jerseys and other extras.

Again, what's your budget?

Some sort of integrated shifting is much preferred to down tube by most riders these days. Lance uses a down tube shifter for his front derailleur in mountain stages to shave a little more weight off of his bike. Hey, I won't knock it, he's won 5 times in a row. Anyway, it is personal preference, but I won't go back to down tube shifting either. I'd save a little more cash and get something with STI or Ergopower.

I know it ain't much but I am only budgeted for up to about 200 dollars maybe 250 if nice enough

My road bike has downtube shifters. I figured it was okay, not a problem to shift.
Then, my wife and I bought a tandem with sti....wow, that is nice.
Now I want it on my road bike, so I guess I will have to upgrade.

kevin29 I sent an e-mail. I can adjust the price if needed.
Dave