Instead of a triple crankset you can put a compact on there that will be a bit lighter, maybe shift better, and offer almost as much range. Here's my wife's Bianchi with a Veloce compact, which I think looks pretty vintage-like. It works great. It also has long-reach dual pivot calipers (Nashbar branded Tektros), which stop much better than anything vintage. But wait, there's more! - it has Shimano ratcheting barcons because she doesn't like to take her hands off of the steering wheel.