Originally Posted by
canklecat
This.
<snip>
Gimme brifters. I may keep my Centurion Ironman stock, but my next road bike will have brifters, if only for those fast-ish group rides (hey, I'm old and asthmatic, and 17 mph over a 50 mile ride is fast for me).
Carbon and brifters! Seattle has 3 used bike shops with good selections. Maybe your area does, too. I bought my first 4 road bikes used and all were decent bikes at a good price. You won't believe how good a bike can feel.