We have a 2005 Trek T2000 with Ultegra FD. I also used to treat drops to the granny very cautiously while climbing. A few months ago I decided to install a chain catcher by N-gear called the jump stop, even though I almost never had a problem with the chain coming off of the inside of the small ring. Probably installed it more out of not having enough to fool with than anything else. Anyway, the instructions that came with the jump stop suggested that with the catcher installed it was now possible to adjust the FD low stop to the inside limit, facilitating quicker middle-to-small ring shifts. I did this and the drops to the granny while climbing are very quick and easy now. With that one improvement, I now have zero complaints with any shifts on this bike, it just always works quickly and precisely.