Originally Posted by
hairnet
jeebus
Richpool, I would keep the DT shifters. I'm assuming your bike is 6 speed, if that is the case I would change to 7 or even 8 if possible (you probably have a freewheel so a new wheel would be in order, although 6 speed Uniglide does exist). 7 speed index shifters can be had but 8 speed DTs not so much. Friction 8 speed is easy though.
Right now its a Shimano RS10 modern wheel set on there. Im running a 7 spd cassette spaced. The shifters are set on friction so it works perfectly. Eventually I will might want to run something with a larger gear range. The STI's do give me the option to go 10 speed. Im not positive how high you can run friction. Partly because I have never tried it or thought to look into it.
As for everyone else, yep its a weird build, the way I see it, it will work both ways flawlessly. So the next thing to base the decision on is aesthetics. I just feel the down tubes are a cleaner look.