thanks for all of the input guys. I'll try and see about using a clamp on before/after guides.

As far as value is considered, I don't have much at all into the frameset, so the bike isn't worth much as is, and if I were ever to sell it I don't think it's value would/could drop much lower than what I have into it.

Barcons would be ideal, but they cost money...haha

and stem shifters....NO NO NO. I hit my knees on them when climbing out of saddle. I gave them a shot on my 60cm panasonic dx2000. If anything it would just be worse on this 57cm frame. I would just use the bike as a single speed or fixed gear before doing that again haha.