Originally Posted by
Reinofratch
I feel pretty confident about sticking with using the 7 speed sti...
Right on. 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 speeds is more than adequate as long as it's tuned and works correctly. If not, its just frustrating!
Originally Posted by
Reinofratch
...and doing the work myself now thanks to you all.
That's awesome! You won't regret learning how to wrench on your bikes. Whether it be for limited finances, curiosity, or personal satisfaction, it's always nice to do your own work. It gives you a great understanding of how each component works separately and together to make the bike function well.
Don't forget to use the best resources at your fingertips...the internet.
One of the best sites (besides bikeforums.net) is the Park Tool Repair Help and Education site.
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help