I agree with the folks who say keep the vintage and get a modern endurance geometry bike. The Holdsworth is a gem, but it will need major surgery to fit a modern drive train, I think----is the rear spacing 120- or 126 mm? You could cold-set the rear triangle, if there is clearance .... and there would be if you switched to 700c wheels .... and long-arm brakes. or, you could find a vintage cluster and convert to barcons .... or even stem shifters if that thrilled you.


That gets into a fair bit of work, and frankly, down tube shifters aren't terrible, but they aren't that great----and I have enough miles on DT friction shifters to know the ins and outs. Brifters just make everything easier. Nothing wrong with riding bent over and reaching and not shifting as much and all that ... but when I want to Enjoy a ride, I have a Fuji Sportif which is comfortable , bullet proof, is equally good at flats and hills, and always a joy to ride.

Also .... upgrades can be done over time. Your Holdsworth isn't going anywhere. if you have a Fastroad or a Contend or whatever (I avoid Trek, Spec, and C'dale---too much boutique label premium---same gear on as good a frame with less decal cachet cost less, and I am also frugal) then you can be riding on the days you feel like it, and it on;'t hurt so much or be so hard ... and you can think about the Holsworth on the off days.