khuon, good point about hand positions, I change mine to a half dozen different positions thru-out a ride.

demon, you're right about Sora being incompatible with the rest.

Thanks guys! Please don't think your posts went to waste, cuz I read them and learn something new everyday, but...

the wrench at my LBS (Performance) is a good guy and spent nearly 30 minutes with me going over my options.

For $275, I got parts and labor -- Ultegra shifters, SRAM 89 chain, 9-speed ultegra cassette, gel bar tape, and 105 front derail (which was $14, new, in clearance, missing screws which the wrench had some in his shop and gave me). The shifters came with new cables (of course) and mine were needing replacing anyway. So, I'm poor and can't afford $275, but I think I scored big time for all that... and I'm getting my bike back tomorrow!

Considering that a special order Sora shifter (just the one) was $85 and gonna take a week, well, seemed like there was no choice.

I'm one happy mutha ****a