MarkW: very nice bike. "Tastefully understated."
Q4U: do you see any advantage to 9 vs. 8 other than availability?
I ask because 8-speed mech *seems* more common in my area. (that may just be my perception but we lag behind here a bit in Canada...)
I have an 8-speed MegaRange (11-34)rear cassette and aside from slightly wider gear spacing in the mid-low area, it should have the same high and low as the 9-speed...unless I'm missing something?