I recently, via the list of craig, a 2005 Specialized Dolce in a 53.5 A1 AL I also have a 1988 Schwinn Premis in a 54, Columbus Tenax

Today, riding both around the lake a few times back to back, I realized that the Schwinn was so much more forgiving than the Specialized was.
Caddilac vs Kia, if you will.
I also realized that brifters require more core strength than plain old aero levers do