I feel you! My wee brain takes time to re-adjust... and I’ve been reminded that a lovingly maintained older mech group is a thing of beauty.

My road bike w/eTap is out of commission for ~2wks, so a buddy loaned me his ~10yr old BMC SLC01 w/SR11. I expected it to feel ragged, but it has been dream to ride because he keeps it in tip-top shape. I forgot just how smooth, quiet and quick mech shifting can be plus the swelling sense of pride from nailing perfect shifts. Like you said, the throws are forever long versus electronic and, in this case, the Campy-specific thumb shifter buttons are beyond awkward and bordering on annoying.

On the other hand, I rented a low-end road bike with Shimano mech shifting a few years ago. The bike was the current model year, but it hadn’t been lovingly cared for by either the renters or the shop. It was a rotten ride and Clouded my memory of how good mech groups could be or were... I’ve been reminded that an older, well-maintained mech group can be sweet. Care and maintenance to the rescue! Not necessarily neat and new to the rescue.