Really look at what you have and what you can do with your money.

I gave my brother my old 7 speed. He had limited time to ride and needed a wide range of gearing choice.

I went with downtube dura ace shifters 9 speed index
ATB cassette 11-32
Chain
ATB/MT rear drl.

It sounds crazy but it works and he can join our rides and survive the hill and make up time on the downhill.

Anyway…look at downtube shifter as a cheap way to go and spend the money saved into whatever….wheels maybe…