Was talking to another forum member last night and he was talking about how he likes down tube shifters over STI's sometimes. His argument that it makes you anticipate gear changes making you more fluid. I haven't rode with downtube shifters for a while until I got my Ciocc in August but I can definitely say it does make me personally more "in tune" with my bike/derailleurs. On top of this, I love the simplicity and challenge of the friction shifters.

I'm about to begin a De Rosa build for the winter and my original idea was to equip it with some first generation DuraAce STI (7400). But after thinking about it, I might have to go the cheaper route and get some nice Shimano 600. Time will tell.