Thanks everyone for this discussion. My goal of course is to go fast, take less time, not work as hard, and never get passed. :-)
Can't wait 'till spring so I can get the MB back on the rode for a testy test. Also, I may not have to buy a new old bike. Darn, I was getting better at shopping. Maybe I'll just shop for new wheels for the old Schwinn - but would still like better hardware. What's the oldest (least expensive) road bike I can look for that would have modern shifters built into the hand brakes on the drops?