So i'll keep the story short. Traveling from Seattle to Little Rock for 10 days i did not want to ship a bike (too many previous bad experiences). Prior to leaving & scanning for inexpensive road bikes in Little Rock on Craigslist showed nothing my size, but searching revealed a bicycle co-op that serves local kids. Expecting nothing but more than a marginally acceptable bike (given my super low budget for a 10 day bike), this is what i found. Made in Taiwan, Wheeler is still in business, but no distribution to USA.

Wheeler Desanzano, 7sp, Shimano 105, lugged Tange CroMo in absolutely great condition. Not only a nice bike but fits like a glove. Plain gauge tubing but nice touches = chrome socks, chrome fork, etc. My first Shimano bike, so i will have to accept swiveling brake levers, but it shifts smoothly. AND it's RED!

edit: also my first set of tri-bars.