Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
This!
AFAIK downtube shifters haven't been seen on anything production since ... 5/6sp? Seriously. I mean they made them (Dura Ace) up through 9sp for nuts like me with
retro hankerings. But production output had long since shifted (nyuk) over to brifters. So the o.p. is buying a bodge (custom) bike, and nothing can be assumed. Agree with an earlier poster. If 'tis brifters o.p. be wantin', then 'tis brifters he ought be buyin' ...
Eh, I wouldn't agree with that. Those L'Eroica rides require downtube friction shifters, I've seen some fairly modern drivetrains set up with them. Some years ago Bianchi even made an 11-speed Campy bike with friction downtube for just that reason.
The bike sounds put together in a particular way for a specific rider, I'm just not sure it's a good starting point for someone who wants an indexed system on the bars.