Actually, I had earlier been having some issues with one of the shifters and had considered switching to downtube shifters, and a retro looking saddle. I think the straight top tube makes it look a lot older than it really is, making a retrograde styling do-able. But, I think it would be a bit of regression for me because I'm so used to the STI levers.

Does anyone even make bikes with top tubes like that post 2000?

Changing the groupset is not even on the radar, as far as I am concerned


What about the mess of cable housing? Should I bother to get that sorted right away? It doesn't really affect anything beyond aesthetics.

I'm tempted to try a red and white harlequin bar tape wrap. It might be a bit over my head, though.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/4...d15d6907_o.jpg