Originally Posted by halfspeed
It depends upon how much work you're willing and able to do yourself. My 620 became a 24 speed for about $600, and could have been done for less. Wheels and brifters are the biggest expense and you can save a lot of money by going to barcons instead of brifters.
That's my point, for about 600 I can pick up a brand new Windsor Tourist (maybe less if I can find a use one) which would have the modern shifting and 27 speeds - and I'd be able to prolong the life of my trusted 620. Right now, I put over 3k miles on my bike per year. I do have a three-year old Giant Cypress hybrid with about 700 miles on it. Not a fun bike to ride, in my estimation.