OK, I got it last night. This bike is really, really nice - better than I had expected. I don't think it has been ridden much. It needs to be tuned up and adjusted, but it is in wonderful condition for its age. I don't know how much it weighs, but it is quite a bit lighter than the other two bikes I currently ride.

I've taken it out and ridden it some, and I've got really mixed emotions about it. This frame style with the 24" front wheel fits me wonderfully! I think the key is the shorter top tube - I really feel like I am centered properly on top of the bike in a way I haven't experienced before. The difference riding uphill is enormous. I can easily get out of the saddle and I just feel so much more in control of the bike. The cranks are 165's and this is the first bike I've ridden that had smaller than 170's. I think that makes a difference, too.

On the down side - I don't feel at all comfortable in the drops, though I do think that could change with time (or maybe just a longer stem would help a lot, as the bars are actually a bit lower than the seat). However, I don't think I can ever get used to these friction DT shifters - it's just not gonna' happen, much as I wanted to love everything about this baby!

So, I'm not sure what I will do next. It's not within the realm of possibility for me to do any upgrading on this bike myself, and I don't really know anyone who could do it for me. Local LBS would be way too expensive, I am afraid. I would be happy to find out that I am wrong, but if not, I may be reselling this one and continuing to save my pennies for a bike with newer components. No matter what, I am happy to have had the opportunity to ride this style of frame. I am only 5' tall, and it is very hard to find a bike that feels right. I have not ridden one with 650c wheels both front and rear, but I would also like to try one of those.