Wow, BikeForums has really made this difficult. I was almost to the point that I thought I should build my own frame (the framebuilding section is awesome). New vs used vs upgrade. Steel vs. aluminum vs. carbon. Style vs. substance. Weight matters vs. weight doesn't (my LeMond weights 22lbs). Holy crap I was getting mixed up.

So anyway, I finally decide to eBay my way to new 9-speed shifters and a new compact crankset. I already have a SRAM Force crankset, but still need the bottom bracket for it. I was thinking that if I could get the LeMond to 20lbs or below and get a shorter stem to bring the bars back to me a little I could live with it for a while yet. Then I can justify a tri-bike next summer.

It appears that losing approx. 900 grams is going to be a huge challenge. Stem, seat post, crankset, BB, and brakes/shifters are the only places I can realistically shed weight right now. Not sure I can find 900 in those places without spending as much as a new bike.

I do have a question about shifters. I found some 105 5510 shifters for $150, but I also spotted soem Dura-Ace down tube shifters for $90. I haven't ridden a bike with down tube shifters in almost 20 years so I don't remember what it was like. I've got my own ideas, but what does BF's best and brightest think about downtube versus brifters?