I've got a celeste '97 Trofeo with lower-end Campy eight speed and a lugged frame. It's gotten more compliments than my gorgeous carbon Look 585. I rode it yesterday in a 75 mile charity ride and had little problem keeping up with the younger folks on carbon bikes. They thought it was cool. A good steel frame, 32 spoke wheels and 700x25 tires take almost all the pain out of bad roads.